- By Andrew Benson
- ` F1 correspondent
March 16, 2024, 3:34 p.m
Updated 30 minutes ago
image source, Getty Images
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Christian Horner has led the Red Bull Formula 1 team since 2005
The woman in the Christian Horner controversy has lodged an official complaint with Formula 1 governing body FIA about his behavior.
` Sport has learned that the complainant who accused the Red Bull team boss of inappropriate behavior has lodged a complaint with the FIA's Ethics Committee.
The 50-year-old Horner has always denied the allegations made against him.
The woman's actions follow two previous whistleblower complaints lodged with the FIA in recent weeks.
` Sport has learned that an inquiry was made to the FIA's ethics and compliance hotline on February 2, directly addressing Horner's behavior towards a female employee, asking the FIA to investigate and raising concerns was that Red Bull might try to cover it up.
The second complaint, dated March 6, related to the first and warned that the whistleblower would next inform the media.
In a statement, the FIA said: “Inquiries and complaints are received and processed by the compliance officer and, where appropriate, the ethics committee.”
“Both bodies act autonomously and ensure strict confidentiality throughout the entire process.
“As a result, we generally cannot confirm receipt of any particular complaint and are unlikely to be able to provide further comment on the complaints we may receive from parties.”
A Red Bull Racing spokesman said they were unaware of the complaint and would not comment further.
Red Bull's decision came after a legal investigation.
Last week she was suspended from her role with the team by Red Bull.
The allegations against Horner came to light in early February, but the investigation into his conduct began nearly a month earlier. According to Red Bull it took 10 weeks.
Red Bull hired an outside attorney to investigate the claims. After his report was presented to the company's board, the board decided to dismiss the complaint.
The following day, a series of messages allegedly involving Horner were leaked to almost 150 senior F1 insiders and media.
Red Bull declined to provide further details about the case, citing confidentiality.
` Sport previously reported that Red Bull gave the employee the reason she had been dishonest.
Horner said at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last weekend: “The reality is that there was a complaint which was dealt with in the most professional manner by the group who appointed an independent KC, one of the most respected in the country.”
“He took the time to investigate all the facts. He looked at everything and came to the conclusion that he dismissed the complaint.”
“As far as I’m concerned, as far as Red Bull is concerned, we’re moving on.”
The controversy is at the center of a power struggle within Red Bull involving Horner, motorsports consultant Helmut Marko, the team's three-time world champion Max Verstappen and his father Jos, Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen and the company's two owners.
Chalerm Yoovidhya, the 51 percent shareholder, has supported Horner, forcing Austria's 49 percent shareholder Red Bull GmbH to back down in its bid to oust him from the company.
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