Red Bull GmbH has seemingly set a date to hear the case of Christian Horner, as multiple reports have come about regarding the case.
Things have started to move in the Horner case where Red Bull GmbH has set a hearing date of February 9 i.e Friday. It is related to the F1 chief being alleged by an employee for inappropriate behaviour but the details of which has been withheld.
“After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation,” it said. “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.” Amid this investigation, varied reports have emerged from various sections regarding the depth of the matter. Some have matched each other, while a few are on a different tune – which are all but speculation at the moment.
While a lot of them linked inappropriate behaviour towards a situation of sexual harassment, but there is also linkage towards management style of Horner. Red Bull Racing has remained silent in the matter with Red Bull GmbH involved mostly. The Friday hearing will give a chance to Horner to say his side, while having denied the claims.
He was busy with the F1 Commission meet when the news broke. For now, he holds the team principal position, but Dutch media De Telegraaf signals a negative outcome for Horner. They point out the power struggle within the racing team for long, especially between the team boss and advisor Helmut Marko.
The publication feels that more are in favour of Marko to remain rather than Horner if given a choice. And there seems to be a good amount of evidence against the latter in the conduct matter. However, it is not certain that he will be shown the exit.
His stay as the F1 team boss seemingly lay at the hands of Chalerm Yoovidhya – the Thai owns 51% of shares in Red Bull GmbH. This comes at a time when the team is dominating the sport and has a chance to win both the titles again in 2024.
They are due to launch its new car on February 15 and even though Red Bull Racing remains quiet at this juncture, questions will be raised during the launch and even at testing. Williams’ boss James Vowles shared his opinion on the matter.
When speaking to Bloomberg TV, Vowles said: “The sport itself, wind back 20 years ago, male-dominated without question. If you had to ask me what makes up a team, it would be white, more than likely male, more likely 40 years old, something in that ballpark. That’s changing and it’s only a positive that’s changing that result.
“I can only control what happens within Williams. And what I can do within the environment is open everyone’s eyes to this is how we have to be, because the best ideas don’t come from being a closed group of individuals, it comes from diversity. These allegations are allegations, I’m afraid I don’t have any understanding of what is behind them and the significance of what has happened.
“All I can say is that should this ever happen in our guard we’ll be entirely supportive n terms of fixing it and making sure we have a culture that is accepting of everyone. Again, I think it means we will have to look each other in the mirror and make sure that we are posing the right questions internally and acting in the way that we can only be proud of, not today but in the next 10 years.”
Here’s news on Christian Horner
Here’s Guenther Steiner on Red Bull domination
Here’s Alexander Albon on Helmut Marko’s role in F1 drive
Here’s Lando Norris on Max Verstappen not being BFF
Here’s Daniel Ricciardo on happy with Red Bull rumour
Here’s Max Verstappen on F1 calendar
Here’s Ford on Red Bull Powertrains update
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