Christian Horner accuser quizzed by investigators over ‘sexting scandal’ after launching appeal against Red Bull probe
THE woman at the centre of the Christian Horner sexting scandal has been grilled by investigators.
She was quizzed after contesting the findings of the original investigation when her complaint against the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 boss was dismissed.
The unnamed woman, who has been suspended from her job at the team’s UK headquarters, has challenged the independent report into her claims.
The new KC-led internal probe is expected to last until mid-May, sources said.
A source said: “The KC leading the appeal process had hoped to interview her sooner, but there was an unavoidable delay.
“A lot of work has gone into the appeal already. But her evidence will obviously form a substantial part of the new investigation.
“It’s important to get it right.”
Her latest testimony could also result in investigators wanting to speak to the F1 chief – married to ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell – all over again.
“It is possible Christian may be asked further questions in light of anything new she has to say,” the source continued.
“He has co-operated fully throughout and will continue to do so.”
This could potentially reopen wounds for Horner and his wife as they attempt to move on from the drama and live a normal yet lavish life.
The woman originally accused Horner of inappropriate behaviour back in February as the bombshell accusations rocked the sporting world.
She claims he sent her hundreds of “sexually suggestive” texts.
At the end of February, these alleged texts from Horner were leaked to journalists and F1 bosses.
Horner has always denied the claims of inappropriate behaviour and described the text leaks as “anonymous speculation from unknown sources”.
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.
She went on to file a grievance with the FIA and its ethics committee, says a source.
They revealed: “She has not been allowed to see the whole of the report which cleared Horner and has no clarity as to why the inquiry reached its decision.”
The woman was also said to have been “disappointed” and “unsupported” by Red Bull.
Geri, who partied at Victoria Beckham’s 50th at the weekend, is standing by her husband and has done the entire time.
Horner, who has saluted his “phenomenally supportive” wife throughout the investigation, has made it clear he wanted to “draw a line” under the scandal as soon as the final decision was declared.
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.
But 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 female employee.
MAR 15: Horner’s accuser allegedly launches an appeal against the investigation that saw the Red Bull chief cleared.
MAR 17: Horner, Helmut Marko and Jos Verstappen agree to a ‘public ceasefire’.
APR 23: Female accuser gets quizzed by investigators over claims