Red Bull's Crucial Partner For 2026 Season Ford Responds To Horner's Investigation
F1Sunday, 18 February 2024 at 10:30
The head of Ford Performance Motorsport, Mark Rushbrook, shared his thoughts on Christian Horner's situation ahead of the NASCAR season-opening Daytona 500.
Christian Horner is currently under investigation for alleged "inappropriate behavior" toward one of Red Bull Racing's female employees.
This investigation has been ongoing for at least two weeks; no conclusions have been reached so far, and it isn't clear how much longer it might take.
As of now, Horner retains his innocence until proven guilty and continues in his position as usual. However, it was suggested that resignation is the most likely consequence if proven guilty.
The situation is being closely monitored by other F1 teams and Red Bull's key partners, whose reputation is associated with Red Bull Racing. Ford is one of these partners. Rushbrook explained to AP Sports:
"As a family company, and a company that holds itself to very high standards of behaviour and integrity, we do expect the same from our partners."
The American car manufacturing company is a crucial partner in helping Red Bull produce their first power unit for the new 2026 regulations.
Ford was supposed to aid Red Bull mainly in areas like battery cell and electric motor technology, power unit control software, and analytics, enhancing the performance and efficiency of the power units.
"It appears to us, and what we’ve been told, [is] that Red Bull is taking the situation very seriously. And of course, they’re worried about their brand, as well."
According to a recent report from De Telegraaf, Christian Horner's investigation is related to sexual misconduct, and the team principal was supposedly sending inappropriate messages to his employees frequently and over a long period of time.
These are serious accusations, and if they were proven true, they could damage both Red Bull's and Ford's brands. Could the American company possibly decide to withdraw from the partnership?
While that wasn't mentioned at all, these matters are taken very seriously. For now, the head of Ford Performance Motorsport added:
"That’s why they’ve got an independent investigation, and until we see what truth comes out of that, it’s too early for us to comment on it all."
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