Red Bull’s Christian Horner Being Investigated Over Harassment Allegations

Photo: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto (Getty Images)

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has been accused of inappropriate behavior by a female colleague, according to a statement from the energy drink company. Red Bull has launched an internal investigation to look into the claims but wouldn’t reveal any details about the allegations, Reuters reports. Formula 1 has been hostile towards women to varying degrees, from female fans being harassed at race events to the decades-long absence of female drivers on the grid. Horner’s alleged actions don’t help at all.

2023 Was An Exciting Year For Racing

The statement released by Red Bull today reads:

“After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation. This process, which is already underway, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister. The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”

Christian Horner has been in charge of Red Bull Racing since the F1 team’s establishment in 2005. The 50-year-old. and star driver Sebastian Vettel, led the team to four consecutive championships from 2010 to 2013. Also in 2013, Horner ended a long-term relationship with his partner, who was pregnant at the time. He would announce his engagement to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell the following year.

Horner is now overseeing the F1 team through another period of dominance. Red Bull won all but one race during the 2023 season. Max Verstappen won his third championship in a row with the most successful season in the sport’s history. The team is scheduled to reveal its 2024 car next week.

F1’s recent surge in popularity has highlighted the harassment faced by female fans both online and in physical spaces. During the 2022 Dutch Grand Prix, 15 women reported that they were harassed. While F1 has begun corporate efforts to be more inclusive, women comprise only a small fraction of Formula 1’s workforce.

All 10 F1 teams have pledged support to F1 Academy’s sophomore season, with every team entering a driver in the all-female competition. Sisters Amna and Hamda Al Qubaisi will represent the two Red Bull-owned F1 teams. Dutch driver Emely de Heus will also participate in F1 Academy as a non-team entry directly backed by Red Bull. It’s been over 30 years since a woman has raced in F1 as a driver.