Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is facing an investigation following allegations of “inappropriate behavior.”
According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Red Bull is probing unspecified claims made against Horner by one of its employees.
Reports suggest that senior management within the team is aware of the accusations, and CEO Oliver Mintzlaff is treating the matter seriously.
Red Bull has initiated an internal investigation, led by an “external, specialized” lawyer, in response to the recent allegations.
A Red Bull spokesperson told De Telegraaf, “After the company was made aware of certain recent allegations, an independent investigation was launched.
This process, which is already ongoing, is being carried out by an external, specialized lawyer. The company takes these matters extremely seriously, and the investigation will be completed as soon as practical.”
In response to the allegations, Horner stated, “I completely deny these claims.”
Horner, who has been at the helm of Red Bull since 2005, has overseen a period of significant success for the team.
Under his leadership, Red Bull has clinched seven drivers’ championships and six constructors’ championships. Last season, the team dominated with 21 wins out of 22 races, securing Max Verstappen the drivers’ title.
Verstappen’s stellar performance accounted for 19 of those victories, leading him to finish the year 290 points ahead of teammate Sergio Perez.
The news comes shortly after Horner announced plans for a cutting-edge wind tunnel at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes facility.
Reflecting on the new development, Horner commented, “The commitment to the campus in the UK is extraordinary. To have a state-of-the-art wind tunnel, something that we debated over the last 19 years, and see where we are at with [Red Bull] Powertrains, to have within three years recruited close to 500 people and built a state-of-the-art facility with our manufacturing ability – it’s a massive commitment by the shareholders, and it demonstrates their commitment to the longevity, but it also demonstrates that Formula One is delivering.”
