The CEO of Red Bull, Christian Horner, has responded to the revelation of supposedly leaked WhatsApp texts to a female coworker.
Prior to the start of the new Formula One season, which got underway today with the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Red Bull CEO was charged with “inappropriate behavior.
WhatsApp allegedly sent by Christian Horner to a female colleague have been leaked to the press, leading to the Red Bull team principal to reiterate his denial of allegations made against him. It could prove to be an embarrassing development for Horner, just 48 hours before the first Grand Prix of the season in Bahrain, Horner spoke out publicly for the first time since he was cleared of an allegation of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague on Thursday, after arriving at the Bahrain Grand Prix ahead of the season-opening race at Sakhir. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I’m just pleased the process is over,” adding that Red Bull had “never been stronger.
The complaint, first publicised on February 5, alleged “inappropriate, controlling behaviour” against the Red BullF1 team principal. Horner strongly denied the allegations, both initially and in public at Red Bull’s 2024 F1 car launch in Milton Keynes,
But after an investigation was conducted by an external lawyer, who interviewed Horner for nearly 10 hours on February 9 in London, the world champions’ parent company Red Bull GmbH confirmed that the “grievance” against Horner has been dismissed and he will continue as Red Bull F1 team principal and CEO. Follow the latest news from F1 below.
Christian Horner responds after texts allegedly sent to female colleague leaked.
Christian Horner has responded after WhatsApp messages and photos allegedly from the Red Bull F1 boss to the female colleague were leaked to the press on Thursday, The team principal was cleared of “inappropriate behaviour” on Wednesday after a three-week internal investigation conducted by an external lawyer, following allegations from a female colleague, However, WhatsApp texts and pictures have been leaked from an anonymous source on Thursday, allegedly showing conversations between Horner and the complainant, Horner, who arrived in Bahrain on Wednesday night, has responded to the latest development with a short statement: “I won’t comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate, I have always denied the allegations, I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and fully cooperated with it every step of the way, The Red Bull F1 team principal was cleared of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ after an investigation was conducted.
Christian Horner is exonerated – but Red Bull probe serves as reminder to all in F1
Twenty-three days after allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” first emerged through whispers in the Dutch press, and following countless denials on the eve of the new Formula One season, Red Bull boss Christian Horner has finally won the battle of his life, Touching down in the Middle East on Wednesday night, Horner will be one relieved man stepping off his private jet. A team principal and chief executive who has barely missed a race since taking the reins at the inception of his Red Bull team in 2005, the 50-year-old will take his usual place on the pit wall at the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend as a man exonerated, The Red Bull F1 boss has been cleared of an allegation of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ from a female colleague.
Vertsappen complains over extended season
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has hit out over the length of the season, I feel already that we are way over the limit of races,” said Verstappen, who questioned if some drivers might “start shortening their careers” over the workload. Since Liberty Media took over F1 ahead of the 2017 season, the number of races has risen from 20 to 24, The growth is driven by Liberty’s strategy of staging races in destination cities like Las Vegas, Miami, the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah and from 2026, the Spanish capital Madrid, Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez voiced concern for staff on F1 teams who, he said, seemed exhausted at the final races of last year, I remember seeing a lot of zombies in Abu Dhabi, after Vegas,” he said Wednesday. “We are trying to basically put some points across that it’s not only for the drivers, to be honest. There’s a lot of mechanics, engineers and basically they travel the world weekend after weekend, a lot of hours on the planes.
Toto Wolff and Zak Brown comment on Horner investigation
Toto Wolff has reiterated that the investigation into rival Christian Horner should have opened up with more details into the allegations and Red Bull’s process, The sport has received a message that it’s all fine … it needs more transparency,” Wolff said.
Lewis Hamilton goes fastest in Bahrain GP second practice
In an intriguing opening day’s racing, it was Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton who topped the evening’s timesheets under the lights in Bahrain, just ahead of his teammate George Russell, Surprisingly, Max Verstappen was down in sixth, below Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and Oscar Piastri (McLaren).
TOP-10 IN FREE PRACTICE 2
1. Lewis Hamilton – 1:30:374
2. George Russell – +0.206
3. Fernando Alonso – +0.286
4. Carlos Sainz – +0.395
5. Oscar Piastri – +0.410
6. Max Verstappen – +0.477
7. Nico Hulkenberg – +0.510
8. Lance Stroll – +0.517
9. Charles Leclerc – +0.739
10. Sergio Perez – +0.741
Max Verstappen looks to defend his world championship title as Lewis Hamilton begins his final season with Mercedes before switching to Ferrari in 2025.
I trust Red Bull’s process, says Williams boss James Vowles
Addressing the controversy on Thursday, Williams team principal James Vowles said he has to believe Red Bull’s process has been thorough, Vowles said: “I have a responsibility for Williams, and if anything like that happens here, I would want to make sure we properly investigate it and do a robust process that is clear to the outside world what has happened and what we can do to rectify that, I trust that Red Bull have done a strong process and we have to in that circumstance, But what I want is us as a sport to be proud that we are sitting on a set of foundations that is one of inclusivity, one of openness and transparency and all I ask in that matter is that we make sure we have faith and trust that all of the organisations are working for the same standards.
Red Bull GmbH responds to leaked Whatsapps
The Independent approached Red Bull GmbH for comment following the leak of Whatsapps allegedly sent by Horner to female colleague, The company issued a response saying: “This is a private matter between Mr Horner and another and it would be inappropriate for Red Bull to comment on this.
Horner speaks out for first time since being cleared by external investigation
Christian Horner spoke publicly for the first time this morning since he was cleared of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague by an external lawyer’s investigation. Here is his interview with Sky Sports in Bahrain.
Was it the outcome what you expected?
I’m just pleased the process is over. I obviously can’t comment about it. But we’re here very much to focus on the grand prix and the season ahead and trying to defend both of our titles.
Is that the end of the matter?
Look, I can’t give you any further comment. But the process has been conducted and concluded and, yeah…”
Any regret it became public?
I’m not going to be able to give you, I’m afraid, any further comment on it, but I’m pleased to be here in Bahrain with the team focused on the season ahead.
Is there unity inside Red Bull?
“Within the team it’s never been stronger.”
Horner gets on with the job at hand in Bahrain
Christian Horner appeared happy as he got on with the job of leading Red Bull into the start of the new season on Thursday, Horner flew out to Bahrain on Wednesday and was seen at the Sakhir track chatting amicably with a number of important figures, including lead designer Adrian Newey, and Max Verstappen’s father Jos.
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