Red Bull’s Christian Horner Cleared After Investigation into Grievance by F1 Employee

Formula One’s Red Bull Racing team announced Wednesday that team principal and CEO Christian Horner has been cleared of any wrongdoing following an investigation into allegations of misconduct.

Per Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press, Red Bull Racing released a statement Wednesday expressing confidence that the investigation was “fair, rigorous and impartial” while also noting the the complainant can appeal if they so choose:

Earlier this month, ESPN’s Nate Saunders reported that the investigation stemmed from a Red Bull Racing employee alleging that Horner was responsible for “controlling text messages and behavior.”

At the time, a spokesperson said Horner “rejects these claims entirely,” and he was subsequently allowed to carry out his usual duties without facing any discipline.

The 50-year-old Horner has been the head of Red Bull Racing’s F1 team since its inception in 2005.

With Horner at the helm, Red Bull has enjoyed enormous success, winning six Constructors’ Championships and seven individual driver titles. Sebastian Vettel won four in a row from 2010 through 2013, and Max Verstappen has won each of the past three.

The Englishman was a driver before becoming an executive, competing in the British Formula Renault Championship, British Formula Three, British Formula Two and Formula 3000 in the 1990s.

Red Bull Racing is once again considered the team to beat in 2024, as drivers Verstappen and Sergio Pérez finished first and second in the standings last season and combined to win 21 of the 22 races.

The only race they didn’t win saw Carlos Sainz Jr. prevail in the Singapore Grand Prix.

F1’s 2024 season will officially begin with the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday, and Verstappen will begin his quest to become only the fifth driver in Formula One history to win four or more consecutive championships.