Based on the internal investigation of Christian Horner, Red Bull has decided on his future. The British manager remains in office. However, the opposing party can still appeal.
Christian Horner can rest easy. After weeks of uncertainty, Red Bull headquarters (not the team, but the Austrian-based parent company) closed an internal investigation into his alleged inappropriate behavior towards a subordinate.
Red Bull issued a press statement today announcing that Horner had been cleared of charges based on the results of the investigation. The Briton thus remains at the head of the Milton Keynes-based F1 team, which he has been in charge of since 2005.
“An independent investigation into the allegations made once morest Mr Horner has been completed and Red Bull can confirm that the complaint has been dismissed. The complaining party has the right to appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation was fair, rigorous and impartial. The investigation report is confidential and contains private information regarding the individuals involved, including third parties who assisted in the investigation. Therefore, out of respect for all involved, we will not comment further. Red Bull will continue to strive for the highest standards in the workplace,” the Austrian company said in a statement.
Let us recall that the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf was the first to report on the Horner investigation at the beginning of February, which Red Bull confirmed shortly following.
Even though it was originally Red Bull’s effort to close the whole thing as soon as possible, in the end everything dragged on almost until the beginning of the first racing weekend in Bahrain.