4 major things happening with Christian Horner controversy

• Christian Horner controversy is the biggest subject yet in Formula 1
• The Red Bull CEO and team principal has stirred unfamiliar waters in the circuit
• He was under investigation for alleged inappropriate conduct with a Red Bull CEO

Christian Horner controversy is the biggest subject yet in Formula 1 with a lot of twists and comments from the F1 community. The Red Bull CEO and team principal has stirred unfamiliar waters in the circuit but appears unbothered by all this.

He maintains that he only cares about winning a fourth season, which is a valid case of focus after the Bahrain Grand Prix last week. Max Verstappen in the new RB20 won the race followed closely by teammate Sergio Perez. With this glory, there is still so much unrest in F1 over Horner.

What is Christian Horner Controversy About?

Red Bull GmBh, the parent company of Red Bull Racing at the beginning of February announced that Horner was the subject of an internal probe.

A female coworker accused Horner of acting inappropriately, almost like he was making out, but Horner insisted he was innocent. Dutch daily De Telegraaf disclosed on February 5 that Red Bull Gmbh was investigating the English-born CEO for alleged inappropriate behaviour which he distanced himself from.

Christian Horner. Photo/Sports Illustrated

De Telegraaf also revealed that a compensation offer of £650,000 ($820,000) was made to the female employee who filed the complaint but she declined.

A third-party lawyer that Red Bull brought to question him on February 9 at an unknown location in London for nine hours.  The aim was for Red Bull to get to the bottom of Christian Horner controversy.

IS CHRISTIAN HORNER GUILTY?

After weeks of investigation, Red Bull cleared the 50-year-old saying that they found no ill-doing as alleged by the claimant. In a statement, Red Bull GmbH stated there was no basis for an examination into the charges made against its CEO.

“The independent 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,” a part of the statement read.

It added: “Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial. The investigation 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.”

WHAT IS FORMULA 1 COMMUNITY SAYING ABOUT CHRISTIAN HORNER CONTROVERSY?

Christian Horner and Sergio Perez. Photo/F1

To begin with, he is still CEO and team principal of Red Bull Racing despite Christian Horner controversy. His clearing-up supports his previous assertion that he had nothing to do with the worker who had filed the complaint. But, these claims have led to increased scrutiny of the Englishman from different corners. Here is what is happening.

Ford Motor Company Speaks

Just before Red Bull issued its verdict on the case, Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley expressed its reservation about the investigation.  Farley wrote to Red Bull requesting that the probe be expedited. Ford wanted the story to wrap up quickly, according to the Associated Press, which obtained access to the February 23 document.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. Photo/The Independent

Ford asserted that the probe lacked openness and that the US automaker was losing faith in Red Bull over Christian Horner controversy.

Jos Verstappen Calls for Christian Horner’s Resignation

Jos Verstappen is the father of three-time F1 champion Max Verstappen. He says that Horner should resign because he risks tearing the team apart. Jos told The Daily Mail that there is tension in Red Bull as long as he remains the team principal.

“The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems,” he said.

However, Red Bull countered these claims stating that the team is more united than before.

Max Verstappen is Silent

Verstappen remains non-committal on Christian Horner controversy. The Dutch driver hasn’t discussed his father’s concerns about Horner only stating that he needs his father by his side in all his races. Jos is abrasive and was seen having a heated argument with Horner on the eve of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

FIA President Asks Max Verstappen to Support Christian Horner

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem came under fire for asking Max Verstappen to publicly support Horner in light of the investigation. This was after sensitive documents surrounding Horner’s probe leaked among F1 stakeholders.