The woman who accused Christian Horner of inappropriate behaviour is "angry, scared and very lonely" after her Red Bull suspension, according to a family friend. Red Bull announced an investigation into the allegation in early February and hired an external King's Council to oversee the process. Later that month, the company announced that the grievance made against the 50-year-old, husband of Spice Girls
Singer Geri Halliwell , had been dismissed. The complainant has since been suspended by the Formula 1 team. It is understood she has exercised her right of appeal against the outcome of the investigation into her allegations. She has remained silent in public, having signed a legal document which prohibits her from discussing the matter with anyone other than her immediate family. But, speaking to
BBC Sport , an anonymous family friend described the toll she claims it has taken on her. Max Verstappen targeted by Aston Martin as path to Red Bull F1 exit emerges Red Bull design legend Adrian Newey approached by F1 rival with mega-money offer They said: "It's impossible for people to understand what it's like for her. 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." A swathe of
WhatsApp messages were released shortly after the investigation into Horner ended, some of which were sexual in nature. But their legitimacy has not been verified, nor has it been discovered who leaked them to journalists and high-profile F1 figures in the first place. The family friend went on to claim that the process has been "unjust". They added: "It is registered to go to an employment tribunal, which is public... Unfortunately, the date is a long time away. She has been threatened with legalese every step of the way, as has the media. She has now been suspended and it's clear that's Red Bull following a process to eventually
fire her." The appeal against Red Bull's decision, threat of an employment tribunal and a plea to the FIA for the sport's governing body to get involved make it clear that the complaint plans to continue pursuing this case. And the family friend insists she is "determined for the truth to come out". This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Watch F1 live Watch
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Lewis Hamilton, you won't miss a lap on Sky Sports. Sky Watch it here They continued: "She just wants to work in the sport and is very concerned about her reputation and ability to get hired by anyone. She has been in motorsport her entire life, so on one hand she is very concerned and scared for her future, on the other hand very determined for the truth to come out. "Because she can't talk to her
Friends openly, I think she has all this bottled-up fear and concern that she is not able to openly communicate with her friends and family to support her and give her advice, because she is being respectful of the terms and conditions that have been placed upon her. "It's pretty clear she has not been able to say a word or even identify herself and yet Christian is able to give enough commentary because he has got a position of power and influence to effectively give his side of the story and she has been completely muted." A Red Bull Racing spokesperson has been approached for comment.