The Christian Horner lawsuit refers to an employment tribunal claim brought against Red Bull Racing by a female employee whose December 2023 grievance had accused the then–team principal of inappropriate and controlling behavior. Two independent investigations cleared Horner, but the employee’s tribunal case against Red Bull was settled out of court on October 7, 2025, for a reported figure of around £3 million. Horner himself was dismissed by Red Bull in July 2025 and left with a severance package estimated by different outlets at between £52 million and £80 million.
What the Complaint Alleged
In December 2023, a female Red Bull Racing employee filed a formal grievance with Red Bull GmbH, the team’s Austrian parent company, against Horner. The complaint described inappropriate and controlling behavior, and some reports characterized the accusations as sexual harassment and coercive conduct.1Yahoo Sports. Christian Horner Case Woman Made The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf made the allegations public on February 5, 2024.2Motor Sport Magazine. The Christian Horner Texting Scandal That Split Red Bull Horner denied the claims.
The Two Investigations That Cleared Horner
Red Bull GmbH commissioned an external King’s Counsel to run an independent investigation. Horner was questioned by the KC on February 9, 2024, in a session that lasted more than eight hours.3Sky Sports. Christian Horner Timeline of Events at Red Bull Following Investigation Into F1 Team Principal On February 28, 2024, Red Bull GmbH announced the grievance had been dismissed, though the complainant retained the right to appeal.4The New York Times / The Athletic. Christian Horner F1 Appeal Red Bull
The complainant appealed on March 16, 2024. Red Bull appointed a separate, independent KC to conduct the appeal. In August 2024, that second KC recommended dismissing the appeal, and Red Bull confirmed that “all stages of the appeal process have now been concluded” and that the conclusions had been “accepted and adopted.”5RaceFans. Red Bull Dismisses Appeal of Horner Investigation Outcome The complainant also filed formal complaints with the FIA’s ethics and compliance hotline in February and March 2024. The FIA did not publicly confirm receipt, citing confidentiality protocols.6Autoweek. Christian Horner Accuser Has Filed Formal Complaints to FIA
The Leaked Messages
One day after Horner was cleared, an anonymous email sent on February 29, 2024, during the second practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix, gave media outlets, F1 team principals, and broadcasters a link to 79 files described as “Christian Horner investigation evidence.” The files were alleged to be text messages and screenshots between Horner and the complainant. The Athletic reported it was unable to authenticate the contents.7The New York Times / The Athletic. Christian Horner Texts Investigation
Horner declined to comment on what he called “anonymous, speculative messages from an unknown source,” and reiterated that the independent investigation had been thorough and fair.7The New York Times / The Athletic. Christian Horner Texts Investigation On March 7, 2024, days after the leak, the complainant was suspended from Red Bull on full pay. Sources told ESPN the suspension was “related to the findings of the investigation.”8ESPN. Horner Misconduct Accuser Suspended Red Bull Reports indicated the employee’s role required continuing contact with Horner, and Red Bull determined her presence at races would create an unwanted distraction.9Metro. Christian Horner’s Accuser Suspended Red Bull on Full Pay
The Employment Tribunal Claim and Settlement
After being placed on leave and exhausting Red Bull’s internal grievance process, the former employee filed a claim at a British employment tribunal against Red Bull Racing. The case centered on the allegations of inappropriate behavior by Horner and on how the complainant had been treated after the investigation.10GPblog. Lawsuit Between Red Bull and Former Employee Called Off After Settlement
On October 7, 2025, the tribunal case was dismissed after both parties reached an out-of-court settlement reported to be worth several million pounds, with some outlets citing a figure of approximately £3 million.10GPblog. Lawsuit Between Red Bull and Former Employee Called Off After Settlement11Times of India. Christian Horner Scandal Takes Shocking Turn as Woman at Centre of Sex Texts Case Gets 3 Million Payoff to Leave Red Bull No further details of the agreement were publicly disclosed, and the complainant’s identity remains legally protected.
Horner’s Dismissal From Red Bull
On July 9, 2025, three days after the British Grand Prix, Red Bull announced Horner had been relieved of his duties as team principal and CEO with immediate effect after 20 years leading the team.12Formula 1. It’s Been an Honour Horner Bids Farewell to Red Bull Laurent Mekies, previously team principal at the sister Racing Bulls squad, was named his replacement.13The New York Times / The Athletic. New Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies
Red Bull did not publicly cite the 2024 misconduct allegations as a reason for the dismissal. Reporting attributed the decision to declining team performance, internal divisions, the loss of key staff, and concerns about retaining Max Verstappen.14The Guardian. Christian Horner Formally Leaves Red Bull F1 Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff, who orchestrated the removal, said: “There always comes a time when things aren’t going well and then, as a company, you have to make a decision.” He rejected the claim that Max Verstappen had driven the decision, calling such suggestions “bullsh*t.”15GrandPrix.com. Mintzlaff Defends Horner Exit Plays Down Verstappen Clause Horner later said the sacking was Mintzlaff’s decision, with longtime advisor Helmut Marko “advising from the sideline.”16ESPN. Christian Horner Max Verstappen Jos Verstappen Not Blame Red Bull F1 Exit
Horner’s Severance Package
Horner’s contract ran through at least 2030 and was reportedly worth around $15 million per year.17The New York Times / The Athletic. Christian Horner Profile Red Bull Exit F1 His departure was finalized on September 22, 2025, after months of negotiations over termination terms. He had also resigned as a director of Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Technology Limited on August 13, 2025, according to UK Companies House filings.18Speedcafe. Christian Horner Red Bull Racing Removed Director Job UK Companies House Details
Estimates of the payout varied. BBC Sport sources put it at 60 million euros (about £52 million), essentially covering the remaining five years of the contract at an annual salary of 12 million euros.19BBC Sport. Christian Horner Red Bull Settlement The Daily Mail cited £80 million, and The Race and PlanetF1 reported estimates as high as $100 million (around £74 million) when lost bonuses, commercial commissions, and directorship roles across multiple Red Bull motorsport entities were counted.20PlanetF1. Red Bull F1 Team Posts Increased Profit as Christian Horner Pay Rise Revealed Red Bull GmbH did not confirm any amount, saying it was “normal in such cases” not to disclose specific figures.14The Guardian. Christian Horner Formally Leaves Red Bull F1
What Horner Does Next
The severance agreement contained restrictions preventing Horner from immediately joining a rival team, but the terms allow him to take up a new role during the first half of 2026.21The Race. Horner F1 Return Allowed After 100 Million Red Bull Settlement In January 2026, Horner told The Guardian he was exploring a return to the sport in a role where he could be a partner rather than a “hired hand.”22The Guardian. Christian Horner F1 Return Sacking Red Bull Breaks Silence
Alpine has confirmed Horner is part of a consortium of investors interested in acquiring the 24 percent stake in the team held by Otro Capital, which paid $233 million for it in 2023.23Formula 1. Alpine Clarify Rumours Over Interest From Former Red Bull Boss Horner Any deal would need approval from Renault Group, which owns the remaining 76 percent. Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore confirmed Horner is among the interested parties, saying, “First, you need to buy Otro, and after Renault needs to accept the buyer.”24Sky Sports. F1 Christian Horner and Fellow Investors in Talks to Buy Stake in Alpine Mercedes has lodged a competing bid for the same stake, and a decision deadline has reportedly been set for the middle of 2026.25ESPN. Christian Horner Route Back F1 Alpine Faces Mercedes Obstacle