- Complainant has been suspended from her role within Red Bull
- She has also submitted an appeal to her team over decision to clear Horner
The woman involved in the controversy with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has lodged an official complaint with the International Automobile Federation (FIA), as reported by BBC Sport.
The complainant has registered a grievance with the FIA’s ethics committee, which follows two previous whistleblower complaints.
BBC Sport reports one was made to the FIA ethics and compliance hotline on 2nd February, making direct reference to Horner’s behaviour and that it should be investigated due to concerns that Red Bull could try to cover it up.
The second complaint on 6th March referenced the first, warning that the next step would involve informing the media.
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‘Enquiries and complaints are received and managed by the compliance officer, and the ethics committee where appropriate,’ the FIA said in a statement to BBC Sport.
‘Both bodies operate autonomously, guaranteeing strict confidentiality throughout the process.
‘As a consequence, and in general, we are unable to confirm the receipt of any specific complaint and it is unlikely that we will be able to provide further comment on the complaints that we may receive from any parties.’
The complainant is also currently appealing to Red Bull, who first cleared Christian Horner of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ in late February and then suspended the woman from her role in the team earlier this month.
The controversy is at the centre of a power struggle currently dividing the team, with motorsport advisor Helmut Marko and Jos Verstappen, father of driver Max, heavily involved.
Marko was reportedly on the verge of dismissal from the team before an intervention from the younger Verstappen. The team’s 49 per cent shareholders Red Bull GmbH want Horner removed, but Chalerm Yoovidhya, the 51 per cent shareholder, has backed the current team principal.