- Horner was acquitted on charges of ‘coercive behavior’ against a colleague
- Screenshots have been leaked of a conversation between Horner and the employee
- Red Bull has denied new claims from an F1 trade magazine
Christian Horner is facing fresh unrest after new allegations were published in a 19-page investigation naming his accuser – as he was seen in a furious row with his nemesis Jos Verstappen.
Horner was cleared of ‘coercive behavior’ towards a female colleague last Wednesday following an investigation into the 50-year-old who is also the husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.
However, screenshots of a text conversation between Horner and the employee who made the accusations were leaked via an anonymous email. The email was sent to leading F1 figures and contained 79 documents with some messages of a sexual nature.
A Formula 1 trade magazine with 5,000 readers has published a 19-page investigation into the case, including a series of damning new allegations. The female employee he allegedly sent a text message is also mentioned and the power struggle at the top of Red Bull is documented.
Red Bull has denied claims made by an F1 trade magazine about Christian Horner in a 19-page investigation that names the female employee he allegedly texted
Horner had an animated conversation with Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, in the Red Bull camper during the weekend of the Bahrain Grand Prix
Horner and his wife Geri Halliwell presented a united front at the Bahrain Grand Prix after screenshots were leaked of a text conversation between Horner and the employee
As reported by The timesSources close to Horner have dismissed the piece as ‘full of inaccuracies’.
The author of the piece is Tom Rubython, who has run BusinessF1 Magazine since 2003 and describes himself as ‘probably the most indicted journalist in Britain’.
The 68-year-old, who also stood for Ukip in the 2015 general election, has been sued by former Formula One chiefs Max Mosely and Bernie Ecclestone, as well as business magnate Lord Alan Sugar.
Rubython claims to have faced about “20 to 30 legal battles” in total.
The times quote him as follows: ‘They have forgotten us. They (Red Bull Racing) are so busy chasing the mainstream media that they have forgotten that our magazine comes out. Our magazine is usually about business, sponsorship and motorcycles; an old scandal is rare.’
Rubython also admitted that he had not presented his claims to Red Bull before publication – known in journalism as a ‘right of reply’.
He said: ‘If I had presented the claims to Christian I would have gotten an immediate injunction or an attempt at an injunction… Harbottle (Horner’s lawyers) will have a problem if they catch us in the morning. Whether they want it or not, I have a certain reputation for not giving in.”
Despite the controversy off the track, Horner’s Red Bull team had a perfect season on track.
Max Verstappen won the season opener ahead of Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.
However, Max’s father Jos exclusively told Mail Sport that Red Bull will explode if Horner retains his position.
He said: ‘There is tension here as he (Horner) stays in position.
‘The team is in danger of being torn apart. It cannot continue as it is. It will explode. He plays the victim, while he is the one causing the problems.’
According to his relations, Horner believes that Verstappen Snr has organized a campaign to oust him in recent weeks, with the implication that the Dutchman even had a hand in the email leak – something that has not been proven.
Video footage has been posted by Sky Italy showing Horner having an animated conversation with Jos Verstappen during the weekend of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Horner and Halliwell watched the podium ceremony together after Max Verstappen won the opening race of the season
However, Horner expects to maintain his position and says after Max Verstappen’s victory: ‘Absolutely 100 percent. There was a lengthy internal process completed by an independent quality controller. The complaint that was filed was dismissed. The end of. Continue. I have always had complete confidence that I will be here.”
Halliwell was on a flight to see her husband ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix when the reports were leaked. She shared a kiss with Horner in full view of the cameras, as a show of solidarity on race day.
The team boss also stood next to his wife of almost nine years as they watched the podium celebrations on Saturday.