Christian Horner, accused of inappropriate behavior, will be allowed to continue as Red Bull’s team manager. Red Bull announced the matter on the eve of the new F1 season after a weeks-long investigation.
The team manager of Red Bull, which dominated the Formula 1 series in recent years Christian Horner may continue in his duties.
Red Bull informs that it found no evidence of inappropriate behavior in an independent investigation. According to Red Bull, those who have experienced improper treatment still have the possibility of appeal.
– Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, accurate and equitable, the press release says.
There has been a stir around Horner in recent weeks. Red Bull announced at the beginning of February that it had started an independent investigation into Horner. According to media reports, Horner was accused of improperly treating a female employee of the F1 team.
Red Bull itself did not reveal the background of the investigation in more detail, when it said that an external lawyer would investigate the allegations. Even now, Red Bull did not reveal the results of the study in more detail.
Sky Sports by the energy drink giant’s board had access to a more than 100-page research report in its Horner decision.
– The research report is confidential. It contains personal information of the parties as well as information of third parties who assisted in the investigation. Therefore, we will not comment further on the matter. Red Bull continues to work towards the highest workplace standards, the press release says.
Dutch media De Telegraaf reported earlier, that inappropriate behavior would be about the sexually tinged messages sent by Horner. The Dutch newspaper also reported that Horner would have tried to offer the woman around 700,000 euros so that she would not take the matter forward.
Horner has denied the accusations against him.
The 50-year-old Horner has been the longest-serving of all modern team managers. The Brit became Red Bull’s team principal in January 2005 after the energy drink brand bought the F1 team from Jaguar.
Red Bull has never had a team manager other than Horner. Under Horner’s leadership, Red Bull has won six team championships and seven drivers’ championships.
Urheilu’s F1 expert Jukka Mildh estimated last weekend that the possible departure of the Briton would not have much effect on the dominance of the successful team.
Mildh sees that drivers and their engineering teams mind their own business and move forward. According to Mildh, they operate independently enough that Horner’s departure would not have had a huge impact.
– All processes have been completed. Everything is planned. The new concept of the car looks good. Red Bull is constantly moving forward, Mildh estimates.
The new F1 season starts in Bahrain on Thursday with practice.