IN THE CLEAR
Red Bull chief Horner exonerated after probe on F1 ‘sex messages’
DAN WARBURTON
RED Bull racing boss Christian Horner has been cleared of claims he sent a colleague sexual messages.
The Formula 1 team chief, 50, married to ex-spice Girl Geri Horner, was at the centre of an internal investigation after a female staffer made allegations of controlling behaviour.
It was later alleged that the Red Bull principal had sent the employee “sexually suggestive” messages.
He denied all claims, which had threatened his £8million-a-year position at the all-conquering team of champion Max Verstappen.
And last night, Red Bull said an independent barrister had exonerated him after a three-week probe. A spokesman said: “The investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed.
“The complainant has a right of appeal. Red Bull is confident the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.
“The report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned.
“Red Bull will continue striving to meet the highest workplace standards.”
A London barrister was appointed to lead the inquiry and heard 60 hours of evidence.
Horner, who has led the Austrian team since its formation in 2005, had reportedly been urged to resign by former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.
Yesterday, Horner flew to Bahrain ahead of the season’s opening race on Saturday not knowing the outcome of the investigation. He landed just seven minutes before Red Bull publicly revealed the grievance against him had been dismissed.
Horner’s wife Geri, 51, pictured alongside him at a horse racing event in Dorset earlier this month, was allegedly reduced to tears when the scandal broke. But she privately insisted he did nothing wrong.
Red Bull is confident the probe was fair & impartial
RED BULL SPOKESMAN IN STATEMENT YESTERDAY