Christian Horner’s accuser is feeling “very upset, very angry, very scared, very intimidated and very lonely”, according to a friend of hers, as quoted by the BBC.
The Red Bull team principal, who will face the media in Japan this week ahead of the fourth race of the season, was accused by an unnamed colleague earlier this year of controlling behaviour. The claim was dismissed by Red Bull’s parent company in Austria following a lengthy internal investigation carried out by an external specialist barrister.
Horner’s accuser has since been suspended by the company on full pay.
It is understood the reason given to the woman by Red Bull for her grievance being dismissed was that she had been dishonest and inconsistent in her evidence, although neither party has spoken publicly to confirm any of the details contained in the report.
The woman has since appealed Red Bull’s decision and encouraged F1’s governing body the FIA to investigate the matter independently. She has also switched legal representation, from Lewis Silken to Goodwin Procter, and appointed a London-based PR firm to handle media enquiries.
Speaking to the BBC, a friend of the complainant said the saga was taking a severe toll.
“It’s impossible for people to understand what it’s like for her,” said the friend. “She can’t talk and she won’t talk. But I can tell you what it is doing to her. Every time I have asked her something, she breaks down in tears and says she’s got no-one to talk to because she’s not allowed to talk.
“She is very upset, very angry, very scared, very intimidated, very lonely. And I think it’s impossible for people to understand without being in her shoes what it’s like for her.”
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