`Red Bull Racing, the reigning F1 champions, has been jolted with large-scale controversy ahead of the 2024 F1 season. Highly successful and respected team principal Christian Horner remains under investigation for alleged cross-border behavior with a female employee of the racing outfit.`Red Bull Racing, the reigning F1 champions, has been jolted with large-scale controversy ahead of the 2024 F1 season. Highly successful and respected team principal Christian Horner remains under investigation for alleged cross-border behavior with a female employee of the racing outfit.
After the unnamed female employee lodged an official complaint with incriminating evidence, Red Bull parent company hired an independent investigator to go into the depth of the matter. Meanwhile, Christian Horner rumoured to have reported for a preliminary interview on Friday. However, the controversy is unlikely to leave his back as the RB20 car launch event inches closer.
Christian Horner Grilled For 8 Hours In First Hearing Of Ongoing Investigation
A couple of months ago, Christian Horner was celebrating Red Bull Racing’s enormous success on Formula One tracks. He had achieved the unthinkable by attaining 22 wins off the 23 races on the 2023 season calendar. However, little did the Brit know that his life was going to turn upside down during the winter break. A few days ago, the energy drink company opened up an investigation against Horner after a female employee alleged cross-border behavior. While the team principal claimed innocence, RBR launched an investigation led by an independent barrister to ensure an impartial hearing. As per the latest update, Christian Horner appeared for an initial interview with the investigator in London, which lasted 8 hours. Horner maintained his innocence throughout the grilling session.
However, Sky Sports’ Craig Slater fears the investigation over ‘controlling and coercive behavior’ against Christian Horner is likely to prolong a little more than earlier anticipated. Slater believes both parties will be heard duly before the findings of the investigation are sent to the Red Bull headquarters for the final decision-making process. Apparently, the company’s head of leadership will take a final call on Horner’s future based on the findings of the inquiry. This process could take weeks, which means a resolution on the matter is unexpected to be reached before the 2024 F1 challenger launch on February 15. Craig Slater also claims that the matter could be extended till the first race in Bahrain as the investigation will follow on its own and not the Formula One timeline. Notably, during this entire time, Christian Horner will continue to resume office as the team principal of the racing outfit.
Red Bull Colleagues Urge Christian Horner To Step Down
Needless to say, Christian Horner’s image as a successful team principal of reigning F1 champions, Red Bull, is tarnished in the wake of grievous charges. Thus, given the sensitivity of the matter, Horner’s colleagues believe the Brit should step down voluntarily from his post. Notably, since the inception of the investigation, Horner has been allowed to keep office.
He continues to work as the team principal of Red Bull and follows day-to-day activities while external investigators decide on his fate. However, as per rumors, Horner has declined the suggestion as he believes the allegation is factually incorrect. He has maintained innocence throughout the process and desperately wants to clear his name.
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