The unnamed woman who was at the centre of the Christian Horner scandal has reportedly been paid millions to leave Red Bull just months after the former team principal was sacked
19:15, 06 Oct 2025Updated 20:04, 06 Oct 2025
Christian Horner was cleared of inappropriate behaviour accusations(Image: Kym Illman/Getty Images)
The unnamed woman who brought accusations of inappropriate behaviour against Christian Horner has reportedly been offered £3million to leave Red Bull.
In December 2023, the unnamed woman made complaints of sexual harassment and coercive, controlling behaviour against former Red Bull chief Horner, with the allegations becoming public in February 2024. A series of WhatsApp messages were also leaked to rival teams and the media.
Horner, 51, has always denied the claims and was later cleared of misconduct by two separate investigations. He continued his position as CEO and Team Principal of Red Bull, but was sacked earlier this year after 20 years in charge following a string of poor performances on track.
The employee, who has not been named, and her identity is protected by legal anonymity, agreed to leave the team in return for the fee, according to the Daily Mail.
Christian Horner was dismissed by Red Bull earlier this year(Image: Mark Thompson, Getty Images)
She was reportedly in the paddock at the Singapore Grand Prix after taking up a new position at another team. Meanwhile, Horner was not in the paddock after being sacked by Red Bull earlier this year, receiving an £80m payoff.
Red Bull have been approached for comment.
As part of the terms of Horner’s departure agreement with Red Bull, he will not be able to return to the sport until next spring/summer, with him put on gardening leave.
Horner served as team principal of the Milton Keynes-based team since their inception on the grid. By the time of his departure, he had guided the team to eight drivers’ and six constructors’ titles.
He was a permanent fixture in F1 paddocks around the world until his dismissal, and he was often joined by his wife and former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, 52, who stood by her husband after the accusations.
It’s claimed that it’s understood Horner fell victim to a power struggle when he left Red Bull.
Christian Horner led Red Bull for 20 years(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Results on track had plummeted, and Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have suffered miserably in the second car to Max Verstappen this season.
Various major players in the paddock have commented on Horner’s potential return. Both Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell and Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu have closed the door to Horner.
Meanwhile, Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen added that the French-led team’s advisor and interim team principal Flavio Briatore is an ‘old friend’ of Horner.
He said: “I don’t know what they talk about. Everything I know is there are no plans for Christian to come to Alpine but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.”