A close friend of the Red Bull staff member who accused Christian Horner of inappropriate behaviour has claimed she is very 'upset, angry, scared, intimidated and lonely' amid her suspension from the F1 side.
The female employee alleged misconduct, with Red Bull later clearing Horner following an investigation. The team principal always denied the allegations.
The 50-year-old has continued to work as normal, while the woman who made the claims has been suspended on full pay.
A close friend has now discussed the subject with BBC Sport - and claimed Horner's accuser is 'very upset, very angry, very scared, very intimidated and very lonely'.
Christian Horner's accuser is reportedly upset and scared after Red Bull suspended her and cleared the F1 chief
GETTY
"It's impossible for people to understand what it's like for her," the friend is quoted as saying.
"She can't talk and she won't talk.
"But I can tell you what it is doing to her.
"Every time I have asked her something, she breaks down in tears and says she's got no-one to talk to because she's not allowed to talk.
"She is very upset, very angry, very scared, very intimidated, very lonely.
"And I think it's impossible for people to understand without being in her shoes what it's like for her."
A Red Bull spokesman has claimed that both parties, meaning Horner and his accuser, signed a confidentiality agreement on the matter.
The friend of Horner's accuser says she is a 'brave woman' - and labelled the situation a 'very poor state of affairs'.
"She struggles to understand how, given the information, an independent process can have come to the conclusions it has, and the actions that have followed," they added, referring to her suspension from the F1 side.
"It's shocking but not surprising how upset she is.
"There have been multiple financial offers [to sell her story], none of which she has had any interest in even engaging on.
"The fact she can't talk to her friends, is only allowed to talk to her direct family members… you have a single female who has followed the right process and feels like she is unheard and it has been a totally unjust process.
"It takes a pretty brave woman to do what she has done. And unfortunately it is a very poor state of affairs."
They continued: "It is registered to go to an employment tribunal, which is public.
"As a friend, I can tell you I would assume that Horner, like he has done every step of the way, will do everything he can to make sure that the employee tribunal is not public."
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Christian Horner was cleared of misconduct with the Red Bull chief always denying the allegations against him
GETTY
A Red Bull spokesperson has denied that, however, insisting Horner has not made attempts to keep the matter private - while also saying the door is open for the complainant to return to work.
"Christian has not made attempts to [make sure the employment tribunal is private]," they stated.
"And she has not been suspended with the intent of firing her."
Horner's accuser is determined to reverse Red Bull's decision to clear the Briton of any wrongdoing.
And the friend says she will continue to fight the verdict of the F1 side.
Christian Horner is working at Red Bull as normal as the Japanese Grand Prix looms
GETTY
"She is determined for the truth to come out," they said.
"She just wants to work in the sport and is very concerned about her reputation and ability to get hired by anyone.
"She has been in motorsport her entire life, so on one hand she is very concerned and scared for her future, on the other hand very determined for the truth to come out.
"Because she can't talk to her friends openly, I think she has all this bottled-up fear and concern that she is not able to openly communicate with her friends and family to support her and give her advice, because she is being respectful of the terms and conditions that have been placed upon her."
