- Red Bull boss makes first statement after being cleared of ‘coercive behaviour’
- Horner was initially acquitted in February before his accuser filed an appeal.
Christian Horner has detailed his relief after allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a colleague were dismissed on appeal.
The initial complaint led to an internal investigation by Red Bull’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH, in Salzburg, which ended with the 50-year-old being acquitted.
A day after the initial complaint was made against multiple trophy winner Horner, a file purporting to contain evidence was sent to almost 200 people in the F1 paddock, including members of the press, team principals and franchise owner Liberty Media.
The authenticity of these files was never verified as they were sent from a generic, unnamed email account.
The complainant, who remains on staff, has been suspended since March and subsequently appealed the initial verdict.
Christian Horner has made his first public statement since an appeal over allegations of “coercive behaviour” was dismissed
Red Bull team principal details his relief after being cleared for the second time
Earlier this month, Horner, who has vehemently denied any wrongdoing since the allegation was made, was exonerated for a second time and the appeal was dismissed.
Speaking for the first time since the appeal was dismissed, the Red Bull team principal detailed his relief at being able to focus solely on the track going forward.
“It’s obviously been a very thorough process and of course I was relieved when the appeal was concluded and the claim was dismissed,” Horner told Sky Sports News.
“So now we are, as we have been all season, focused on the track, here at Max’s home race and looking forward to these final 10 races.”
A Red Bull statement following the verdict said: ‘The complainant exercised his right to appeal, and the appeal was lodged by another independent KC.
‘All stages of the appeal process have been concluded and the final result is that the appeal is not admissible.
‘The KC’s conclusions have been accepted and adopted by Red Bull.
Max Verstappen heads into Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix looking to extend his lead at the top of the drivers’ standings
“The internal process has been completed.”
Verstappen heads into Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix with a 78-point lead at the top of the drivers’ standings as he looks to move a step closer to securing a fourth consecutive title.
Meanwhile, Red Bull remains at the top of the constructors’ standings and is aiming for a third consecutive victory.
