Ford CEO Jim Farley has reportedly directly expressed the manufacturer’s “frustration” over Red Bull’s handling of its investigation into team principal Christian Horner.
The American car manufacturer is due to join forces with the reigning Formula 1 world champions on their engine programmes for the 2026 season.
However the Associated Press reports Ford wrote to the Red Bull team at the end of last week voicing concerns over its ongoing investigation into Horner. It published extracts of a letter from Ford CEO Jim Farley to the team in which he said the manufacturer was “increasingly frustrated” by the “lack of resolution or clear indication from you about when you anticipate a fair and just resolution of this matter.”
“We are likewise frustrated,” Farley continues, “by the lack of full transparency surrounding this matter with us, your corporate partners, and look forward to receiving a complete account of all findings.”
The strongly-worded letter adds further pressure to the Red Bull team and their owners, who have launched the investigation into Horner. Last week, both Formula One Management and the FIA issued similar calls for a swift and fair conclusion to the independent investigation.
Almost three weeks have passed since team owners Red Bull Austria confirmed it had initiated an independent inquiry after receiving complaints about his conduct from a member of staff. Horner has denied the allegations against him.
Despite being under investigation, Horner has continued to operate in his role as team principal, telling media including RaceFans that it was “business as usual” for the team. He attended last week’s pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit and is expected to attend the season-opening round at the same venue this week.
During the test Horner said he “can’t comment on the process or the timescale” of the investigation. “I think obviously everybody would like a conclusion as soon as possible but I’m really not at liberty to comment about the process.”
The partnership between Ford and Red Bull was announced a year ago and will see the American motoring giant support Red Bull’s own powertrains department to develop a power unit for the new regulations due to arrive after the next season.
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