Christian Horner Faces New Challenges as FIA Receives Formal Complaint Amidst Misconduct Allegations

In a significant development, a formal complaint against Christian Horner has been lodged with the FIA’s ethics committee. This escalates the ongoing controversy surrounding the Red Bull team principal and his alleged misconduct.

Key Takeaways:

• The escalation of the Christian Horner controversy involves a formal complaint filed with the FIA’s ethics committee, stemming from allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
• The development follows a previously closed internal investigation by Red Bull Racing into Horner’s conduct towards a female employee, which did not result in any action against him.
• Red Bull Racing remains silent on the new complaint, while Horner seeks to move beyond the controversy, maintaining that the initial claims have been professionally addressed and dismissed.

The ongoing saga surrounding Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has taken a new turn with the formal complaint lodged with the FIA’s ethics committee by the accuser. This complaint marks a significant step in the unfolding controversy, as it brings the issue to the forefront of the Formula 1 world’s attention.

The accuser’s decision to approach the FIA comes after an internal investigation by Red Bull Racing, which was concluded without any action against Horner. This internal probe, conducted by an independent lawyer, did not satisfy the complainant, leading to this latest escalation.

Notably, this is not the first complaint concerning Horner’s conduct. The FIA received an initial whistleblower complaint on 2 February, focused on Horner’s behaviour towards a female staff member and suggesting a potential cover-up by Red Bull. A subsequent complaint on 6 March further reinforced these concerns.

Despite these allegations, the FIA has yet to make any public statements on the matter. Red Bull Racing, for its part, has declared that it is unaware of the new complaint, opting not to comment further. The complainant’s pursuit of the issue with the FIA follows the rejection of her initial complaint by Red Bull, an action that led to her suspension from her role at the team.

The initial accusations against Horner surfaced in early February, though the investigation had been underway for nearly a month prior. The involvement of an external lawyer and the investigation’s duration of 10 weeks culminated in the dismissal of the complaint. Subsequently, messages allegedly involving Horner were leaked, intensifying the scrutiny on him.

As the F1 community calls for resolution, Red Bull stands by the confidentiality of the investigation details. Horner, speaking recently, highlighted the thoroughness and professionalism of the independent legal expert’s handling of the grievance, leading to its dismissal. However, with the FIA now involved, the controversy seems far from over, casting a shadow over Horner’s position in the fast-paced and closely-watched world of Formula 1.