Horner set to appear at F1 team launch in midst of conduct allegations
Christian Horner is the Principal of Red Bull Racing.Credits: Pixabay
Red Bull Formula 1 Team Principal Christian Horner is still scheduled to attend the teams launch of their 2024 livery the RB20 this week amidst an internal investigation into his conduct.
The businessman, who has been principal of the team since 2005, is currently under investigation by Red Bull Racing’s parent company Red Bull Austria after allegations emerged last week. Horner, 50, is accused by a female employee of “inappropriate, controlling behaviour.”
It was brought into question whether Horner would be present for the unveiling of the team’s car for the 2024 season but he is currently still scheduled to be in attendance. If he does attend, all eyes will be on the team boss as their car for the upcoming season is revealed to the team’s drivers and the public for the first time.
However, long time friend of Horner and former chief executive of the Formula One group Bernie Ecclestone has allegedly “urged him to resign” for the sake of minimising harm to his image and his family, a source told F1Insider.
When asked by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, who originally broke the news of the allegations, Horner said: “I completely deny these claims.”
Shortly afterwards a spokesperson for Red Bull stated: “After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation. This process, which is already underway, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister.
“The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
The investigation into the female staffer’s claims is being carried out by an independent barrister. Horner, husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was seen entering a meeting in London last Friday which lasted a total of nine hours.
However no further details of the investigation’s findings or Horner’s meeting have yet been released.
Dr Andrew Tickell, Lecturer in Law at Glasgow Caledonian University, said: “In general, “controlling behaviour” is only criminalised in the context of domestic abuse of a partner or ex-partner, but conduct in the workplace could become grounds for dismissal or disciplinary action.”
If Horner is to resign or be released from his role it will have massive implications for the team who are the current Formula One constructors champions and the team of current drivers champion Max Verstappen.
Having won 21 of 22 races in the 2023 season, big things are expected of Red Bull Racing going into the 2024 season. The ongoing investigation and potential loss of their team principal only days away from the season beginning will be no doubt catastrophic for the team.
