Ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Red Bull suspended on full pay the female employee at the heart of the Christian Horner scandal.
The woman had accused the team principal of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ but, on the eve of the 2024 F1 season, he was cleared following an independent investigation.
However, texts supposedly between Horner and the complainant as well as images related to the probe were leaked to the media and F1 personnel by an anonymous source.
Interest in the scandal is still very high, even with Horner, husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, ‘determined to draw a line under it’.
On Thursday, the saga took its latest turn, with the accuser now reportedly suspended by Red Bull.
The complainant had continued to work for the team – a job it is said ‘she loves’ – throughout the scandal, in a role that ‘involves continuing contact with Horner’.
Red Bull said they ‘could not comment’ on this latest development, but BBC Sport now claim to know why the accuser was suspended.
Christian Horner investigation timeline
How the scandal has unfolded...
Monday 5 February - Red Bull confirm investigation into Horner over 'controlling behaviour' allegations
Friday 9 February - Horner grilled by independent lawyer during eight-hour hearing
Thursday 15 February - Horner attends Red Bull's 2024 car launch and publicly addresses allegations for first time - says he 'fully denies' any wrongdoing
Friday 16 February - Fresh allegations emerge in Dutch Newspaper De Telegraaf suggesting Horner sent messages of a 'suggestive nature' to a female employee
Wednesday 21 February to Friday 23 February - Horner attends Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain - says: ‘We hope there is a resolution as soon as possible’
Friday 23 February - Sixth series of F1: Drive to Survive releases on Netflix - Horner and wife Geri Halliwell feature in docuseries
Wednesday 28 February - Horner cleared of allegations - Red Bull say: 'The investigation is complete and the grievance has been dismissed. The complainant has a right of appeal'
Thursday 29 February - WhatsApp messages and images supposedly between Horner and the complainant were leaked to the media and F1 personnel
Friday 1 March - Horner summoned for showdown talks with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem - later, Horner has a 'blazing row' with Jos Verstappen
Saturday 2 March - Red Bull's Max Verstappen wins season opening Bahrain Grand Prix - hours later, his father Jos warns Red Bull 'is in danger of being torn apart' unless Horner leaves
Thursday 7 March - Horner's accuser is suspended on full pay by Red Bull
Sunday 10 March - Following Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Red Bull's owners hold crisis talks amid reports Horner will be sacked and Verstappen could leave for Mercedes
They say ‘the reason given by Red Bull to the employee was that she had been dishonest’.
Horner himself refused to comment on the matter during his grilling in a press conference on Thursday, saying: ‘I can’t comment on anything that’s confidential between the employee and the company.’
In their statement at the time of clearing Horner, Red Bull said: ‘The complainant has a right of appeal.’
Christian Horner investigation - what we know
- Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was under investigation over allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour'.
- Allegations made by female employee of Red Bull concern Horner's ‘strict and controlling work regime’.
- Horner said he 'fully denies any accusations', and was reportedly 'shocked and disturbed' by the allegations.
- 50-year-old is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.
- Halliwell said to be in 'floods of tears' over investigation but will stand by her husband despite warnings of a potential 'toxic tinge'.
- Hearing has been held into the matter, with independent lawyer handing in a 150 page dossier to Red Bull.
- Horner was cleared of allegations on eve of new F1 season with Red Bull saying: 'The investigation is complete and the grievance has been dismissed. The complainant has a right of appeal.'
- WhatsApp messages and images supposedly between Horner and the complainant were leaked to the media and F1 personnel - Metro have seen the material but cannot comment on what they detail.
- Horner has met with F1's CEO and the FIA president following the leaked messages, which have left Halliwell 'stunned and humiliated'.
- Jos Verstappen, father of Red Bull driver and F1 champion Max, has called for Horner to be sacked, saying team would 'explode' if he stayed.
- Jos had a 'blazing row' with Horner at the Bahrain Grand Prix and his comments have fuelled speculation that Max could leave Red Bull.
- Tensions are said to be very high at Red Bull between Horner, the owners, the Verstappen and key personnel , but Horner insists the whole team are united and focused solely on racing.
- The female employee has been suspended on full pay by Red Bull and reports suggest she will appeal the outcome of the investigation.
The deadline for said appeal was thought to be Wednesday, but reports now say it is some time next week, with the complainant said to have hired ‘expensive lawyers’.
Her identity cannot be revealed, though there has been suggestion that she is ‘close friends’ with Max Verstappen’s father Jos, who sensationally called for Horner to be sacked.
A source close to his accuser previously said: ‘If you work for a person like him, you live with many pieces of information that are not to be disclosed. She certainly hasn’t spoken to me about it.
‘We speak every day and she’s very unhappy – of course. In her way of thinking it’s all very one-sided and she’s been crucified.
‘Are the Red Bull investigation team independent? Who knows? They’ve made comparisons in the newspapers about Christian being grilled for 12 hours or so.
‘Well how many hours was she grilled for? They don’t ask that question, but it is a lot more than that.’
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