Red Bull has suspended a female employee who accused team principal Christian Horner of inappropriate behavior. The suspension comes after an independent investigation cleared Horner of any misconduct. The employee was suspended with full pay, with sources claiming that the reason for the suspension was related to the inquiry’s findings. The employee still has the right to appeal the verdict.
Throughout the investigation, Horner was never suspended from the team. However, less than 24 hours after the verdict was announced, private messages purported to be between Horner and his accuser were leaked to high-level F1 executives and journalists. This revelation has caused tensions within the team, as evidenced by comments from Jos Verstappen, father of Red Bull’s world champion driver Max Verstappen, who stated that the team would “explode” if Horner remained in his post.
Despite the controversy, Horner has had the support of his wife, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, who stood by him at the recent Bahrain Grand Prix where Max won the first race of the F1 season. The couple, who has been married since 2015, share a son and maintain a united front amidst the scandal. The situation has also resulted in a spotlight on Max, who has spent his entire F1 career with Red Bull and has responded to his father’s outspoken criticism of Horner by stating that his father is not a liar.
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