Oracle Red Bull Racing, led by three-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen, has found itself embroiled in controversy at the start of the 2024 season due to allegations against team principal Christian Horner. Horner, a 50-year-old British motorsports executive, has been accused of inappropriate behavior by a female team employee.
The allegations surfaced on February 5th, with reports suggesting that the employee had accused Horner of engaging in “inappropriate, controlling behavior.” Horner denied these allegations and met with investigators on February 9th, amidst preparations for the launch of Red Bull’s 2024 F1 car.
At the car launch on February 15th, Horner publicly addressed the accusations for the first time, reiterating his denial and emphasizing his focus on the upcoming season. As the investigation continued, voices within the F1 community, including Mercedes’ Toto Wolff and Ford CEO Jim Farley, criticized Red Bull’s handling of the situation, calling for transparency.
On February 28th, Red Bull announced that Horner had been cleared of wrongdoing, but just a day later, alleged WhatsApp messages between Horner and his accuser were leaked. Despite this, Horner oversaw Red Bull’s victory at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
On March 3rd, Max Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, criticized Red Bull, expressing concern over the team’s future if Horner remained in his position. Red Bull denied internal issues, and Max Verstappen defended his father’s comments.
March 7th saw Red Bull suspend the accuser with pay, citing internal matters. Horner expressed frustration with media intrusion into his family life, calling for a resolution to the controversy.
Despite the distractions, Red Bull Racing remains focused on the season ahead, with Verstappen seeking his fourth consecutive championship title.
