Pink Bull group principal Christian Horner says he’s “relieved” allegations of inappropriate behaviour made in opposition to him by a feminine colleague have been dismissed following an attraction.
Pink Bull confirmed on August 8 the dismissal of the attraction, which was submitted in March after an preliminary investigation into the allegations had cleared Horner.
Horner, 50, has denied the allegations since they got here to mild in February. Pink Bull suspended the complainant in March.
Talking at this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix as he made his first public feedback for the reason that dismissal of the attraction was confirmed, Horner instructed Sky Sports activities Information: “Obviously, it’s been a hugely thorough process and, of course, I was relieved with the appeal concluding and dismissing the claim.
“So, now It is very a lot, because it has been all season, concentrate on observe, right here at Max’s dwelling race and searching ahead to those final 10 races.”
The allegations first got here to mild in February, prompting the Components 1 group’s father or mother firm Pink Bull GmBh to launch an inner investigation carried out by an exterior barrister.
Horner’s accuser has remained on full pay whereas suspended. Sky Sports activities Information has approached the accuser’s representatives for remark.
Requested if he regretted the truth that the state of affairs had performed out in public, Horner added: “It is a private matter. I’m just relieved that the process [carried out by] the company now has been concluded. Our focus is very much on track.”
The state of affairs has created a sideshow to Pink Bull’s 2024 marketing campaign, with the group looking for a 3rd successive constructors’ title and Max Verstappen a fourth successive drivers’ crown.
Verstappen’s father, Jos, known as for Horner to go away the group in March, saying that his continued presence risked the group being “torn apart”.
Whereas Verstappen appears set to stay with Pink Bull after hypothesis over a potential change to Mercedes, there have been different departures from the group amid the instability.
In Could, legendary designer Adrian Newey introduced he’ll depart in early 2025 and earlier in August sporting director Jonathan Wheatley revealed he’ll depart the Milton Keynes-based outfit be part of the Audi F1 venture forward of 2026.
Horner has remained in his twin roles as Pink Bull group principal and chief govt all through the method
Confirming the dismissal of the attraction earlier in August, Pink Bull GmbH stated in an announcement: “Earlier this year, a complaint raised against Christian Horner was investigated. That complaint was dealt with through the company’s grievance procedure by the appointment of an independent KC who dismissed the grievance.
“The complainant exercised the correct to attraction, and the attraction was carried out by one other impartial KC. All levels of the attraction course of have now been concluded, with the ultimate final result that the attraction is just not being upheld.
“The KC’s conclusions have been accepted and adopted by Red Bull. The internal process has concluded.
“The corporate respects the privateness of all its staff and won’t be making additional public touch upon this matter right now.
“Red Bull is committed to continuing to meet the highest workplace standards.”
