Intrusion on family has to stop following investigation

Following a complaint raised by a female employee, the team’s parent company Red Bull GmbH ordered an investigation by an independent lawyer, which lasted eight weeks.

After its conclusion Red Bull dismissed the grievance, but additional leaks to the press, which included purported evidence of WhatsApp messages between Horner and the complainant, further raised the pressure on Horner and the team.

Shortly after Max Verstappen’s win in last week’s Bahrain Grand Prix, his father Jos said the team would “explode” if Horner were to remain in position. But following talks to clear the air with the Verstappen camp, Horner is now keen for the world to move on from his case.

“It’s obviously been a very trying period,” he said ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

“I’m married and have three children. And when that intrusion includes your children and the scrutiny that is placed on my marriage… I’m very fortunate that I have a beautiful family and a very supportive wife and I’m the only one that has been named in this. So, of course, it’s very trying.

“He took time to investigate fully all of the facts. He interviewed all of the people involved together with others of interests, 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. My wife has been phenomenally supportive throughout this, as have my family, but the intrusion on my family is now enough.”

Beyond selective leaks, the veracity of which cannot be verified, most of the details in the case remain in the private domain.

Regardless of the actual findings, the opaque handling of the situation has left a sour taste in the face of efforts by F1 to make its series more inclusive.

But amid calls from F1 teams and observers to provide more transparency, it is understood that Red Bull cannot divulge any more details without the express approval from all parties involved.

“I think it’s a complicated issue,…