The latest season of Drive to Survive is soon to premiere on Netflix, covering the 2024 Formula 1 season. Naturally, the controversy surrounding Red Bull team boss Christian Horner is also addressed. The British manager came under scrutiny last year following allegations of inappropriate behavior. A preview of the new series highlights Horner’s reaction after compromising WhatsApp messages were leaked to the media.
In front of the Drive to Survive cameras, Christian Horner – who was then suspected of inappropriate behavior towards a female employee – tells his story. “The higher you climb in this sport, the sharper the knives,” he explains. “I was at the peak of my career and never in a million years thought I would face a challenge like this. It’s a crucial time of the year, and in my work, I am the face of an organization. You can either hide from such allegations or confront them.”
Just ten days before the launch of the new Red Bull vehicle, the RB20, the accusations came to light. Not much later, various media outlets received an anonymous email with compromising WhatsApp exchanges between Christian Horner and the female employee in question. These were supposed to be pieces of evidence from the independent investigation that Red Bull had since initiated.
Ongoing Controversy
The series depicts the immediate aftermath of the email. “At the end of the second winter test, my phone exploded,” Horner recounts. “I was receiving all sorts of messages about this and that, so and so. There were a lot of alleged messages being circulated.” The team boss denies that these were actual pieces of evidence from the investigation – the messages were supposedly fabricated by the anonymous source. “These were clearly premeditated, intended to distract me as much as possible. The goal was clear – I was supposed to leave Red Bull.”
Ultimately, Horner was exonerated before the start of the Formula 1 season. The employee, who had been suspended by then, appealed, but in August, Horner was acquitted again. Recently, the story took another turn. De Telegraaf reported that Horner will be summoned before the labor court next year. Meanwhile, British media are reportedly no longer allowed to report on the controversy.
