The presentation of the new Red Bull, presented with a lot of glamor in Milton Keynes, became a laughing stock for insiders in the scene. With an incredible shaking of the head, the cult film from the eighties “Sex, Lies and Videotapes” immediately came to mind during the public screening.
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The topic that dominated the media landscape for the past ten days was avoided as best as possible by team boss Christian Horner (50) and the other actors in the presentation show: the internal investigation by Red Bull GmbH against the Briton, who was accused of incorrect behavior at work by an employee accuses. A press spokesman for the team made it clear right at the beginning of the media session with Horner: Questions about the investigation are not welcome – and will not be answered.
Horner plays the leading role in a comedy
Instead, Horner was allowed to continue playing the lead role in the comedy. He dutifully answered all of the presenter’s questions and was delighted that two young racing drivers who were new to the Red Bull junior squad and wanted to make it to Formula 1 with the support of their boss were also given their stage.
Design genius Adrian Newey talked about the new car, which is a consistent further development in all parts. Chief engineer Pierre Waché agreed and superstar Max Verstappen only wanted to talk about sporting topics. Only among his fellow Dutch people did it become a little clearer. “It’s better not to say anything now,” was the answer to the question about the allegations against his boss.
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He took advantage of the opportunity SkyEngland to maintain his innocence: “There have been a few allegations that I absolutely reject. I follow the instructions of the procedure and there is a process. I can’t say anything beyond that, it’s a private process for the company.” Apart from that, the Brit believes that “these moments of uncertainty bring the team together. I have never seen the team as united and full of support as it is now.”
Alone: The truth about the true mood in the Red Bull camp was not visible at the show screening. And that is: There is great unrest at the company headquarters in Fuschl because they want to get rid of Horner, but can’t. Chief consultant Helmut Marko and CEO Oliver Mintzlaff traveled together to England for the presentation to show their colors. But this signal with the fence post was lost.
Disagreement within the group: “Horner-Gate” becomes an ordeal
SPORT1 learned: There is a power vacuum in the company. The 51 percent shareholders from Thailand stand behind Horner and refuse to suspend or even fire him. In Austria people are therefore angry and disappointed. Confidants of the 49 percent owner Mark Mateschitz, son and heir of the company founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who died in October 2022, even fear that “Horner-Gate” could become a breaking point for the entire multi-billion dollar beverage company.
The reason is also the internal investigation from last Friday, which was carried out by a seemingly independent lawyer for Red Bull. Apparently because the lawyer was appointed by the Thais. He interviewed Horner and the employee, among others, for eight hours and was then supposed to submit a final report. But it never arrived at Red Bull headquarters in Austria. The good man preferred to go on vacation first. He couldn’t be reached by phone, which is why Red Bull only speaks of “conscious disappearance”.
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Horner case continues to simmer: employee wants to go to court
But Horner’s case is not yet over. The Dutch one Telegraph has after SPORT1-Have a lawyer check the information to see whether the evidence available to the daily newspaper – photos, emails and text messages with clear content – is sufficient to publicly link the allegations against Horner to sexual harassment at work. The relevant article has now been published online.
To explain, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), sexual harassment in the workplace includes “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature in the workplace or learning environment.”
The employee who is currently on sick leave and her identity SPORT1 is known, wants to go to court in England for exactly that reason. She is said to have already submitted the application. At the latest during a court case, things are likely to get even more spicy, especially for Christian Horner.