CHRISTIAN Horner’s accuser says she ‘feels let down’ by the Red Bull team after the F1 chief was cleared by an independent investigation.
The woman at the centre of the sexting storm who was suspended by the Milton Keynes-based company last week is said to be left disappointed by how Red Bull has dealt with the scandal.
The F1 chief was cleared of accusations of controlling behaviour but the following day a dossier of text messages allegedly between Horner and the female staffer was leaked.
The woman was suspended from Red Bull Racing HQ amid claims her “honesty was called into question.”
A friend of the 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.
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“They have suspended her when she followed the proper process diligently and correctly.
“But for all that, she was suspended from the job she loves and from a sport that she is highly regarded in.
“The lack of support is noted and she’s just so disappointed with the treatment from her employer.
“Look at what happened. She complained there was a supposedly transparent, independent investigation, Horner was cleared, and she was then suspended.”
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The staffer’s friend continued by casting doubt on Red Bull’s investigation adding: “Questions need to be asked of the Red Bull investigation, transparency would bring confidence in what is happening to her.
“Who at Red Bull was tasked with establishing the facts? Who at Red Bull had access to all the confidential material that was used?
“Who at Red Bull is making all these decisions and who at Red Bull is making efforts to establish the source of these leaks?
“She just can’t get over the fact that she made a complaint and was suspended – all she wants is transparency in the process.”
They added that the staffer has had lots of supporting messages from friends and family and even though she has been inundated with offers to share her side of the story, she has chosen to remain silent for the time being.
The comment comes amid claims the employee is reportedly preparing to appeal.
An F1 source told the outlet the way the sext storm has been handled will “discourage other women, who may have had similar issues in F1 from coming forward.”
They told the outlet: “She didn’t seek any of this and now she has been suspend and the message is quite clear, it implies to women stay quiet and don’t speak out or you will lose your job.”
It comes after former F1 driver Christijan Albers has warned a “lot more will surface” as he noted the Red Bull chief has a “terrifying amount of power.”
Speaking to the Dutch outlet De Telegraaf he said it was “terrifying” Horner holds so much power despite the bombshell allegations against him.
He 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 has backed the woman and has called for £8million-a-year Horner to be axed, accusing him of ripping the team apart.
Horner and his wife Geri put on a united front over the weekend in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where they watched Max Verstappen claim another victory.
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Speaking at the press conference the F1 chief 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 seemingly standing by her man throughout the drama, Geri is said to be “in turmoil” over the sexting storm.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
