Christian Horner breaks silence after 'coercive behaviour' appeal results announced

Christian Horner had been accused of 'coercive behaviour' in the workplace​

Christian Horner had been accused of 'coercive behaviour' in the workplace

PA
Callum Vurley

By Callum Vurley


Published: 23/08/2024

- 18:17

Updated: 23/08/2024

- 20:53

The Red Bull chief has finally been able to breathe a sigh of relief

Christian Horner has expressed his relief after allegations of coercive behaviour towards a female colleague were dismissed following an appeal.

The Red Bull team principal was first hit with the accusations earlier this year before Red Bull's parent company Red Bull GmbH in Salzburg cleared him.


However, Horner's accused launched an appeal a day after the announcement was made.

Files alleging to contain evidence against the 50-year-old were sent to 200 people in the F1 paddock, including rival team principals, members of the press and franchise owner Liberty Media.

Christian Horner had been accused of 'coercive behaviour' in the workplace\u200b

Christian Horner had been accused of 'coercive behaviour' in the workplace

PA

But after a lengthy investigation that has lasted close to six months, Horner was cleared for a second time earlier this month.

Much of the probe centred around the authenticity of the sent files, which were never verified.

That was largely down to the fact that the files were sent from an anonymous email account and could not be traced to an original source.

Horner's accuser remains on the staff, though she has been suspended since March.

Now the Red Bull chief, who has always denied any wrongdoing, has spoken out on the matter and has detailed his relief.

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"Obviously it's been a hugely thorough process and, of course, I was relieved with the appeal concluding and dismissing the claim." Horner told Sky Sports News.

"So now It's very much, as it has been all season, focus on track, here at Max's home race and looking forward to these last ten races."

Red Bull released their own statement on the verdict, which read: "The complainant exercised the right to appeal, and the appeal was carried by another independent KC.

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Christian Horner

Christian Horner has admitted his relief after he was cleared of coercive behaviour

PA

"All stages of the appeal process have now been concluded, with the final outcome that the appeal is not upheld.

"The KC's conclusions have been accepted and adopted by Red Bull. The internal process has concluded."

Horner, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, is now determined to help Red Bull star Max Verstappen land another world title.

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Christian Horner

Christian Horner is determined to land Red Bull another world title

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However, the three-time World Championship winner has expressed some worries ahead of his homecoming Dutch Grand Prix at the weekend.

He said: “[We’re] a bit too slow on the short run, a bit too slow on the long run, so a bit of work to do.

“At the moment, [there’s] no clear answer of how to improve that specifically, but we’ll look into things. Just a bit too slow, as simple as that.”

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