Following an impressive performance at the Japanese Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen secured a victory and Sergio Perez finished in second place, Red Bull had all the reasons for a large celebration. This success marked a significant rebound for the Austrian team after a disappointing outcome in Australia. But despite this, team chief Christian Horner naturally faced a barrage of inquiries regarding the allegations against him that are currently ongoing.
With the champagne sprayed and the reality of confronting the press pulling the team principal back down to Earth, Horner was confronted with a question that veered away from his team’s mighty performance.
The story, related to a female employee at the heart of a controversy involving allegations of inappropriate behavior, resurfaced in light of a BBC report revealing the employee’s current vulnerable emotional state.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images
As always, anonymous quotes should be taken with a pinch of salt. But the report from this trusted source quoted the following from a friend of the employee:
“It’s impossible for people to understand what it’s like for her,” they said anonymously. “She can’t talk and she won’t talk.
“But I can tell you what it is doing to her. Every time I have asked her something, she breaks down in tears and says she’s got no-one to talk to because she’s not allowed to talk.
“She is very upset, very angry, very scared, very intimidated, very lonely. And I think it’s impossible for people to understand without being in her shoes what it’s like for her.”
When pressed for a comment on this matter, Horner’s retort was succinct: “No.”
Further complicating the narrative, it was disclosed through BBC that a confidentiality agreement shrouded the specifics of the woman’s exit from the team, and the conditions under which she agreed to it remain somewhat opaque.
More recently, a different media outlet, Daily Mail, reported that Nicole Carling, who had served as Horner’s personal assistant for 15 years, had been reintegrated into the Red Bull Racing team in an interim capacity.
Faced with a direct question about the accuracy of these reports during the post-race briefing in Japan, Horner appeared unprepared.
“Yes. I’m surprised that I’m talking about my assistant in a briefing. But, yes, my assistant of 15 years is in a temporary supporting position,” he said, quoted by GPBlog.
With the allegations still slowly unravelling, it’s important to note that Horner has firmly denied the allegations, and an internal investigation held by an independent third party for Red Bull exonerated the team chief of any wrongdoing.
A statement from Red Bull GmbH confirmed this, as quoted by Sky Sports:
“The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed. The complainant has a right of appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.
“The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned. Red Bull will continue striving to meet the highest workplace standards.”
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.