Regardless of its dominance over the entire of Method 1 with three-time and defending world champion Max Verstappen on the wheel, Oracle Crimson Bull Racing has discovered itself embroiled in controversy for the beginning of the 2024 season because of allegations made in opposition to group principal Christian Horner. . Horner, a 50-year-old British motorsport government who has served as group principal and chief government of Crimson Bull Racing since 2005, has been on the middle of an investigation and ongoing allegations that he behaved inappropriately in the direction of a feminine group worker.
The scandal has thrust Horner immediately into the forefront of Method 1 and past, as he’s married to former Spice Woman Geri Halliwell and in addition oversees a racing group that has gained a complete of 13 world championships, together with seven drivers' world championships with Verstappen and Sebastian. Vettel.
Here’s a full and ongoing timeline of the allegations surrounding Horner, the fallout from them and their impression on Crimson Bull Racing as Verstappen seeks his fourth consecutive title.
February 5 — Allegations floor
Separate media reviews, particularly from the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, acknowledged {that a} feminine Crimson Bull worker had made allegations about Horner to mum or dad firm Crimson Bull GmbH, alleging that he had engaged in “inappropriate, controlling behaviour”. Horner was anticipated to face questioning subsequent Friday from a Crown legal professional appointed by Crimson Bull Austria to research the claims.
Horner, for his half, strongly denied the allegations made in opposition to him.
February 9 — Horner met with a lawyer
Horner met with the lawyer in control of the investigation on February 9 in London, a gathering that got here beneath heavy scrutiny given the short turnaround for Crimson Bull F1's 2024 begin on February 15 in Milton Keyes. In an announcement to The Impartial, a spokesman for Crimson Bull GmbH remained in line with the corporate's earlier assertion that it will not remark till the investigation was full.
“The corporate takes these issues extraordinarily significantly and the investigation will likely be accomplished as quickly as practicable,” it stated in an announcement issued on February 5. “It could not be applicable to remark additional presently.”
February 15 — First public look
Whereas Horner continued to hold out his duties, he spoke publicly for the primary time concerning the allegations made in opposition to him on the Crimson Bull automobile unveiling and once more denied he had acted inappropriately in the direction of his accuser when discussing his impression on the group.
“I'm going by means of the method and I absolutely respect it. It's enterprise as traditional for me and I'm centered on the upcoming season,” Horner stated. “Clearly it's a distraction for the group, however the group could be very a lot collectively.
Within the days and weeks that adopted Horner's feedback, and as Crimson Bull's investigation dragged on, robust feedback have been made within the F1 paddock concerning the matter. F1 itself chimed in, saying in an announcement that: “We hope that the matter will likely be clarified on the earliest alternative, following a good and thorough course of, and we is not going to remark additional presently.”
Criticism of Crimson Bull's dealing with of Horner got here from Mercedes' Toto Wolff, in addition to Ford CEO Jim Farley, with Wolff – Horner's counterpart at Mercedes – calling for “transparency” from Crimson Bull on precisely what Horner had been accused of. In the meantime, Farley, whose firm will companion with Crimson Bull to create Crimson Bull-Ford Powertrains in 2026, additionally cited a scarcity of transparency as Crimson Bull declined to reply to a request for extra info, saying in a letter that Ford was “more and more annoyed by the shortage of decision or a transparent sign from you that you just count on a good and simply decision of this matter.”
Helmut Marko, an adviser to Crimson Bull, defended the corporate's response and claimed on February 20 that they have been to not blame for the prolonged investigation. “They’re attempting to try this [have] a good investigation after which reply accordingly,” he stated.
February 28 — Horner cleared of wrongdoing
In an announcement issued by Crimson Bull GmbH simply earlier than the beginning of the 2024 F1 season, the corporate introduced that its investigation into the claims made in opposition to Horner had been accomplished and that the criticism in opposition to him had been dismissed. The assertion acknowledged that the complainant has the proper to attraction the choice.
“Crimson Bull is assured that the investigation was truthful, rigorous and neutral,” it stated in an announcement. “The investigation report is confidential and accommodates personal info from the events and third events that assisted within the investigation, so out of respect for all concerned we is not going to remark additional on it. Crimson Bull will proceed to try to satisfy the best requirements within the office.” “
A day later, Horner returned to the F1 grid for the opening Bahrain Grand Prix and informed Sky Sport Information earlier than apply that he was “delighted” the investigation was over and couldn’t remark additional on the matter.
“I'm completely happy to be right here in Bahrain and give attention to the upcoming season,” he stated earlier than commenting on the unity of his racing group. “It's by no means been stronger inside the group.”
February 29 – Horner's alleged WhatsApp exercise leaked
Simply 24 hours after Horner was cleared of wrongdoing by Crimson Bull, an nameless supply leaked alleged texts and photographs despatched between Horner and his accuser to prime F1 officers corresponding to FiA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, F1 CEO Stefano. Domenicali and different group leaders of the game, in addition to media representatives. The supplies have been contained on Google Drive, together with 79 paperwork, a few of which have been sexually suggestive in nature, however The Impartial famous that their authenticity couldn’t be verified.
Horner reportedly met with Sulay and Domenicali earlier than the third apply of the Grand Prix weekend and later informed reporters he wouldn’t touch upon what he referred to as “nameless hypothesis from unknown sources”. Horner oversaw the opening Grand Prix, which Crimson Bull's Max Verstappen gained comfortably alongside his spouse Geri Halliwell.
March 3 — Max Verstappen's father criticizes Crimson Bull
Regardless of Crimson Bull sustaining their help for Horner, Max Verstappen's father and former F1 driver Jos Verstappen broke the road, making scathing feedback claiming the group can be torn aside if Horner was allowed to proceed in his place. Drawing a line within the sand, the elder Verstappen denied he was the supply of the leaks, telling the Every day Mail it made no sense for him to take action given his son was driving for Crimson Bull.
“So long as he stays in place, there may be rigidity. The group is at risk of being torn aside,” Verstappen stated. “It may well't go on like this. It's going to blow up. He's enjoying the sufferer when he's the one inflicting the issues.”
Responding to the elder Verstappen, a Crimson Bull spokesman denied any inner issues and claimed the group was centered on racing. Caught in the course of the ordeal, Max Verstappen defended his outspoken father, telling Britain's Press Affiliation that the veteran of 107 F1 begins between 1994 and 2003 “wasn't a liar, that's for certain”, but additionally stated he had no purpose to go away Crimson Bull.
March 7 — Crimson Bull suspends Horner's accusers
On Thursday, forward of the Saudi Grand Prix, The Impartial and different media reported that Crimson Bull had suspended on full pay a feminine worker who had accused Horner of misconduct. Whereas the choice was reportedly made primarily based on the findings of the investigation, a Crimson Bull spokesperson referred to as it an “inner matter” that they may not touch upon.
Horner drew a line within the sand at a information convention, talking out in opposition to what he referred to as “intrusion” into his household by the media.
“I'm married with three youngsters, and in terms of interfering along with your youngsters and your marriage — and I'm very grateful that I’ve a stupendous household and a really supportive spouse. I'm the one one named.” on this,” Horner stated. “So in fact it's very difficult. When the youngsters, the household, the dad and mom are concerned… it's not fairly.”
“… The interference in my household is sufficient now. We now have to maneuver ahead. Clearly there was an terrible lot of knowledge surrounding this. However we have now to return to the fundamentals {that a} criticism was made, it was investigated and it was dismissed.
“It's lots of curiosity from completely different elements of the media for various causes. I believe it's time to attract a line at that.”