by The investigation into Red Bull F1 team principal Christian Horner has been “completed” and the outcome is due to be announced on Wednesday, ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
Horner strongly denies allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” by a female teammate, with his future as the sport’s longest-serving head coach in the balance as an outside lawyer analyzes all the evidence.
Here’s a timeline of how the allegations came out.
February 5 – A colleague’s accusations surface
Report from the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf a Red Bull employee is said to have made serious allegations about team principal Christian Horner to the team’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH.
Separate report i The Rising says the complaint came from a female colleague and concerns “inappropriate regulatory behaviour”. Red Bull chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff takes the allegations seriously.
Horner, 50, who has been principal of the Red Bull team since 2005, remains in his role during the investigation and strongly denies the accusation.
February 9 – Horner meets with a lawyer
Horner meets the lawyer in charge of the investigation in a nine-hour meeting at a secret location, as the externally appointed counsel begins to dig into the case on behalf of Red Bull GmbH.
“After being made aware of certain allegations recently, the company launched an independent investigation,” the organization says in a statement. “This process, which is already underway, is being carried out by an external specialist counsel. The company takes these matters very seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as possible.
“It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
13 February – business as usual
Horner continues his role as Red Bull team principal, despite the ongoing investigation and media storm. He is on site at Silverstone at a secret film day for Red Bull as he goes about his duties.
15 February – Red Bull car launched
Horner makes his first public appearance since the allegations came to light, attending the launch of Red Bull’s new car ahead of the 2024 season. He tells the media that claims of inappropriate behavior against him “discipline” Red Bull. The team principal also said he denies the allegations made by a female colleague.
“I’m going through a process and I fully respect it. For me, it’s business as usual and I’m focused on the season ahead,” he says. “Obviously, it distracts the team but the team is very united.”
Horner says the staff were “very supportive”.
Star driver Max Verstappen says his relationship with Horner remains “very good” despite the ongoing investigation into his manager’s behaviour.
18 February – F1 wants to ‘clarify’ the matter
Formula One talks about the long scandal, saying that the organization wants the investigation to be over as soon as possible.
“We note that Red Bull has initiated an independent investigation into internal allegations at Red Bull Racing,” F1 says in a statement. “We hope that the matter will be clarified as soon as possible, following a fair and thorough process, and we will not comment further at this time.”
20 February – Marko defends Red Bull’s response
Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko praises how the company handled the situation. “The sooner a result is available, the better because of course, rumors and other stories are bound to happen because of the long run,” he says. “[But] I think Red Bull responded very well in this matter. They are not to blame for the duration of this investigation. They are doing their best to [have] a fair investigation and then a response accordingly.”
22 February – Wolff calls for transparency
Toto Wolff, Horner’s long-time rival who heads Mercedes, calls for “transparency from Red Bull regarding the investigation.
“Formula One and the teams stand for inclusion, equality, fairness and diversity, and that’s not just about talking about it, but living it every day,” says Wolff. “These are just standards we set for ourselves. We are a global sport and one of the most important sports platforms in the world and also role models.
“What is important at that stage is a rigorous process. I think that Red Bull has started an independent investigation, if this is done in the right way, with transparency, that is something that we have to look at … It is a phenomenon and a question for all of Formula One, and all. someone who works out there.”
26 February – Ford engine partner criticizes Red Bull
Ford Motor Co, which will partner with Red Bull in 2026 to form Red Bull-Ford Powertrains, reveals it is unhappy with the nature of the investigation, as well as Red Bull’s lack of response to a request for more information on February 14.
In a letter, Ford CEO Jim Farley says the American car giant is “increasingly frustrated with the lack of resolution or a clear indication from you as to when you expect a fair and just resolution of this matter”.
He says: “As we have pointed out before, without a satisfactory answer, Ford’s values cannot be discussed. It is vital that our racing partners share and demonstrate a genuine commitment to those same values. My team and I are available at any time to discuss this matter. We remain firm and optimistic about a resolution we can all stand behind.
“We are similarly frustrated by the complete lack of transparency regarding this matter with us, your corporate partners, and look forward to a full accounting of all findings.”
28 February – Horner goes to Bahrain
Horner travels to Bahrain ahead of the season’s grand prix, while still awaiting a verdict from Red Bull, and the outcome of the independent investigation is highly anticipated.
