A new independent lawyer has been appointed to oversee the appeal process, which will involve conducting a fresh interview with the person making the allegations against Christian Horner, the head of the Red Bull team. This individual will undergo further questioning this week as part of their effort to appeal the decision. Earlier this year, Horner, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was cleared of misconduct following an accusation made by a Red Bull employee. Despite being suspended, the employee is still receiving full pay and is appealing the outcome. The appeal process will be managed by an independent lawyer, who will also conduct a new interview with the complainant before the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix. The suspension was reportedly triggered by allegations of dishonesty during the initial investigation, although those close to the employee describe her as feeling upset, angry, scared, intimidated, and lonely. The situation has cast a shadow over the current F1 season, with leaked texts and images supposedly linked to the investigation adding to the controversy. There have been rumors circulating that the reigning champion, Max Verstappen, may leave Red Bull due to these issues. Someone within the F1 community expressed a desire to conclude the appeal swiftly, stating that no one wants the process to drag on for longer than necessary. However, they also mentioned that once the appeal is resolved, there will be no holds barred. Horner has firmly denied all allegations, with his management style being described as strict and controlling. He expressed shock and disturbance over the claims made against him. Despite the potential damage to his reputation, Geri Halliwell reportedly remains very supportive of her husband and has been experiencing strong emotions throughout this ordeal. During the investigation, an independent lawyer provided Red Bull with a detailed 150-page report. Following this, Horner was cleared just before the start of the new F1 season, and Red Bull confirmed that the grievance had been dismissed while acknowledging the complainant’s right to appeal. The Metro reported leaked communications between Horner and the employee, although specific details were not disclosed. Additionally, Horner had discussions with the CEO of F1 and the president of the FIA following the leaks, which reportedly left Halliwell feeling stunned and humiliated. Jos Verstappen, Max Verstappen’s father, publicly called for Horner’s dismissal, claiming that the team could face serious consequences if he remained. This comment was made during a heated exchange at the Bahrain Grand Prix, sparking speculation about Max’s future with Red Bull. Tensions within the Red Bull team are running high, but Horner is emphasizing the importance of unity and focusing on racing. The suspended employee, in addition to appealing within the team, has filed a complaint against Horner with the FIA. If her internal appeal is unsuccessful, she may consider taking her case to an employment tribunal, potentially resulting in the details becoming public. As F1 returns to Shanghai for the first time since 2019, amidst the ongoing pandemic and featuring the season’s first Sprint weekend, Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Perez are leading the driver’s championship, with Red Bull also leading the constructor’s standings.
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