Red Bull suspended the female employee who accused team principal Christian Horner of inappropriate behavior, multiple outlets reported Thursday.
The Formula 1 team is said to have suspended the unidentified woman with full pay this week amid the fallout of an independent investigation that cleared Horner, 50, of any misconduct.
A Red Bull spokesperson denied to comment on the “internal matter.” However, sources told the Times of London that the reason for her suspension was related to the findings of the inquiry.
The employee still has the right to appeal the verdict.
Horner, for his part, was never suspended from the team throughout the lengthy investigation undertaken by parent company Red Bull GmbH.
Less than 24 hours after the verdict was announced last week, a bombshell email containing private messages purporting to be between Horner and his accuser were sent to 149 people, including high-level F1 executives and journalists.
Horner, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, previously declined to comment on whether the texts — which were sent from an anonymous source — were legitimate.
Meanwhile, Jos Verstappen, the father of Red Bull’s world champion driver Max Verstappen, said the controversy was “driving people apart” and that the team would “explode” if Horner remained in his post.
Jos also denied leaking the “flirty” messages — despite having a “close relationship” with the woman who filed the complaint against Horner.
“At every race he’s at, they’re regularly seen together, laughing and joking. It’s not just a professional -relationship — they’re friends,” an insider told the Times.
An apparent rift between Horner and Jos has shone a spotlight on Max, a three-time world champion who has spent his entire F1 career with Red Bull.
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“My dad is not a liar,” the 26-year-old said this week when asked about his father’s outspoken criticism of his team boss.
“I haven’t asked [whether he regrets the comments], but my dad is always very outspoken. … I guess he clearly felt that [Red Bull would explode],” Max added.
The reigning world champion won the first race of the F1 season over the weekend, where Halliwell put on a supportive front by standing by her husband.
The couple, who tied the knot in 2015, are parents to 7-year-old son Monty.
The singer also shares daughter Bluebell, 17, with ex Sacha Gervasi, while Horner is a dad to 10-year-old daughter Olivia with his first wife, Beverley Allen.
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