THE staffer who accused Red Bull chief Christian Horner of controlling behaviour has allegedly launched an appeal against the probe that saw him cleared.
The unnamed woman at the centre of the “sexting” storm was suspended last week and is said to be disappointed by how the racing team dealt with the scandal.
GettyThe female employee has reportedly launched an appeal against the internal probe that cleared Christian Horner of misconduct[/caption]
GettyThe staffer has since been suspended and is said to be upset by Red Bull’s decision[/caption]
Horner and Geri put on a united front at the Saudi Arabia GP last weekend
Horner, 50, was cleared of misconduct towards a female colleague – allegations he had always denied – by an internal probe on February 28.
However, she is now understood to have new legal representation and has appealed the decision of the investigation, according to The Times.
On March 7, the woman was suspended on full pay from Red Bull HQ amid claims her “honesty was called into question.”
The reasons allegedly given to her were that she appeared dishonest owing to inconsistencies in the evidence she had provided.
Red Bull Racing have been approached for comment.
On Thursday, a friend of the unnamed staffer told MailOnline: “She is so disappointed with how it’s all gone, especially as she did everything by the book.
“She raised her concerns in private and did everything right, but she feels very let down by the company.”
They added: “The lack of support is noted and she’s just so disappointed with the treatment from her employer.”
Insiders said she had demanded to continue working among 1,400 employees at the top F1 team’s high tech HQ in Milton Keynes, Bucks.
It comes after former F1 driver Christijan Albers warned a “lot more will surface” as he noted the under pressure Red Bull boss has a “terrifying amount of power” at the all-conquering team.
Speaking to the Dutch outlet De Telegraaf he said it was “terrifying” Horner holds so much control despite the bombshell allegations against him.
Albers said: “Because by the way it’s all being picked up and it’s just being waved away, then you make someone on the other side extra angry. I think a lot more will surface.
“Then, still, [Horner has] this drive and envy to still be able to get that number one position and just chop everyone’s head off.”
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen’s dad Jos, 52, has backed the suspended female employee and called for Horner to be axed, accusing him of ripping the team apart.
There are rumblings in the Vertsappen camp that the reigning world champ could quit Red Bull in the foreseeable future.
Despite the ongoing saga, Horner has been putting forward a consistent business-as-usual front in his £8million-a-year role.
The F1 chief and his Spice Girl wife Geri, 51, put on a united – if awkward – front last weekend at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.
Speaking at the press conference, Horner said he was keen to “draw a line” under the scandal and that it was time to “focus on what is going on on track.”
Despite Geri’s very visual display of standing by her man, sources claim that the singer is “in turmoil”.
The F1 season returns next week in Melbourne for the Australian GP and the off-track drama has done little to slow down the dominating Verstappen, who has won both races easily.
SCANDAL… LAP BY LAP
FEBRUARY 5: A Dutch newspaper reports a female Red Bull employee has made serious allegations of “inappropriate, controlling behaviour” about Horner to parent company Red Bull GmbH.
FEB 9: Horner is quizzed for nine hours by the lawyer hired by Red Bull to investigate.
FEB 15: He denies the allegations and says they are a distraction for the team.
FEB 15: F1 says it hopes the matter will be clarified at the earliest opportunity after a fair and thorough process.
FEB 26: Red Bull’s engine partner Ford says it is increasingly frustrated by the team’s handling of the complaint.
FEB 28: Horner is cleared of all wrongdoing. The employee is said to have the right of appeal.
FEB 29: Horner says he is pleased the investigation is over.
FEB 29: WhatsApp texts and pictures claimed to be between Horner and the employee are sent to journalists and F1.
MARCH 1: Horner refuses to comment on what he calls “anonymous speculation from unknown sources”.
MAR 2: Horner and wife Geri are pictured hand-in-hand, as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wins the Bahrain Grand Prix. Horner says before the race: “It’s been very testing for my family but we are very strong and our focus is on this race.”
MAR 3: Verstappen’s dad Jos, claims Red Bull is in “danger of being torn apart” if Horner stays in the job. He denies being the source of the WhatsApp leak, saying: “It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems.”
MAR 6: Max Verstappen sides with his dad in the row.
MAR 7: Horner says he wants to draw a line under the scandal and hails Geri’s support — as Red Bull suspends the employee.
MAR 15: Horner’s accuser allegedly launches an appeal against the investigation that saw the Red Bull chief cleared.
GettyJos Verstappen has called for Horner to be sacked amid the ongoing scandal[/caption]
GettyThe off-track drama has not deterred the dominance of three-time world champion Verstappen[/caption]
GettyHorner has been operating on a business-as-usual basis throughout the scandal[/caption]“}]]