Red Bull employee lodges appeal after complaint against Christian Horner dismissed – reports

The Red Bull Formula 1 employee who accused team boss Christian Horner of inappropriate behavior has filed an appeal after her complaint was rejected, the BBC and PA news agency reported.

This decision will likely remain a major talking point in Formula 1 and will continue to cast a shadow over the season.

The unidentified woman was suspended last week after an investigation by a senior independent lawyer, who was also not named, cleared Horner.

The 50-year-old team boss had denied the unspecified accusations against him.

There was no immediate confirmation from Red Bull GmbH, the Formula 1 champions' parent company based in Austria.

Red Bull GmbH said in a brief statement on February 28, before the start of the season, that the complainant had the right to appeal after the grievance was rejected.

The energy drink company also said it was confident the investigation had been “fair, thorough and impartial”, but there were calls for more transparency, with no details released.

Horner faced an avalanche of questions during last week's Saudi Grand Prix and can expect more when the circus arrives in Australia next week.

Horner has repeatedly called for a focus on motor racing.

Red Bull started the year in dominant fashion with two doubles led by three-time champion Max Verstappen, whose future with the team has become increasingly uncertain due to off-track events.

Verstappen's father Jos said after the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix that the team risked being torn apart if Horner remained in charge.

The 26-year-old Dutch driver also said the continued presence in the team of 80-year-old Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko was key to his retention after the Austrian feared he would be fired.