Horner complainant appeals grievance dismissal - reports

The complainant against Christian Horner, who accused the Red Bull team principal of inappropriate behavior, has appealed the decision to dismiss her grievance, according to multiple reports.

Horner was subject to an investigation throughout the first part of this year due to allegations relating to his behavior, but after a months-long process Red Bull GmbH opted to dismiss the grievance.

The female employee -- who has since been suspended on full pay by Red Bull for what RACER understands to be inaccuracies and concerns relating to the evidence given in the original investigation -- was told at the time that she had a right of appeal, and both the BBC and Press Association report that option has now been taken up.

Speaking at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Horner had said Red Bull was moving on from the investigation following the initial outcome.

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“The reality is that there was a grievance that was raised,” Horner said. “It was dealt with in the most professional manner by the group, not by Red Bull Racing, but by the owners of Red Bull Racing, Red Bull GmbH, that appointed an independent KC that is one of the most reputable KCs in the land.

“He took time to investigate fully, all of the facts. He interviewed all of the people involved, together with others of interest. He looked at everything. He had all of the facts. And he came to a conclusion where he dismissed the grievance. As far as I'm concerned, as far as Red Bull is concerned, we move on and we look to the future.”

The BBC also reports that the complainant has lodged an official complaint with the FIA’s Ethics Committee, although the governing body states it cannot discuss specific situations, despite raising the subject of a potential transfer of information of a confidential nature between an F1 team principal and a member of Formula One Management (FOM) personnel in December.

“At the FIA, enquiries and complaints are received and managed by the Compliance Officer, and the Ethics Committee where appropriate,” an FIA statement read. “Both bodies operate autonomously, guaranteeing strict confidentiality throughout the process. As a consequence, and in general, we are unable to confirm the receipt of any specific complaint and it is unlikely that we will be able to provide further comment on the complaints that we may receive from any parties.”

Red Bull GmbH has been approached for comment by RACER.