Red Bull Formula One boss cleared after investigation into misconduct accusations

The boss of one of Formula One’s biggest and most successful teams will remain in the role after a controversial investigation into an employee complaint against him threatened his job.

Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner will continue as team principal after an internal investigation found no inappropriate conduct from the 50-year-old.

The news comes ahead of the first day of the opening weekend of the 2024 Formula One World Championship in Bahrain, with the Grand Prix on Sunday 2 March.

Mr Horner – who is married to former member of the Spice Girls musical group, Geri Halliwell – is a high-profile team boss at drink company Red Bull’s F1 team, whose drivers include current world champion, Max Verstappen.

He has led the Red Bull F1 team since 2005 and has a record that includes six constructors’ (teams) and seven drivers’ world championships in that time.

Australia’s Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo have been among the drivers to race for Horner at the team.

On 28 February 2024, Red Bull headquarters in Austria issued a statement clearing Horner of any wrongdoing.

“The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed,” the statement said.

“The complainant has a right of appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.

The news of allegations against the Red Bull Racing team principal were made public on 5 February by a Dutch newspaper.

The details of the allegations were not publicised, initially referred to as "inappropriate behaviour" with media suggesting they centred on Mr Horner’s management style.

According to reports in the UK, the complaint came from a female employee.

Mr Horner denied the allegations, but the team was questioned as to why the team principal was not stood down during the investigation.

He continued to run the team, including pre-season testing as well as a public appearance at the launch of the new 2024 Red Bull F1 car, the RB20.

“I’m going through a process and fully respect it,” Mr Horner told media at the launch on 15 February. For me, it is business as normal and I’m focused on the season ahead. Of course, it is a distraction for the team but the team are very together.”

Yet the slowness of the investigation by the Red Bull F1 team has been criticised by partners and the category itself.

On 18 February, Formula One issued a public statement saying, “We hope that the matter will be clarified at the earliest opportunity, after a fair and thorough process.”