F1 News: Ford Increases Pressure On Red Bull Investigation - "Unsatisfactory Response"
With the continuing silence from Red Bull, Ford CEO Jim Farley has sent a second letter to the Milton Keynes outfit to maintain transparency and complete its investigation into the allegations surrounding its Formula 1 team principal Christian Horner.
Key Takeaways:
- Ford CEO Jim Farley has sent a second letter to Red Bull urging transparency and completion of the investigation into allegations against Formula 1 team principal Christian Horner.
- The investigation revolves around allegations of inappropriate behavior made against Horner by a female employee, with Ford expressing dissatisfaction over the slow progress.
- While Horner denies wrongdoing and Ford trusts its F1 partner, the letter emphasizes that Ford's values are non-negotiable, and it seeks a fair and just resolution with full transparency surrounding the matter.
The investigation pertains to allegations of inappropriate behavior made against Red Bull's team principal, Christian Horner, by a female employee. The Associated Press has published a report that the Ford CEO has communicated with Red Bull again, expressing dissatisfaction with the slow progress in addressing a matter that Ford considers to be of significant importance.
Though Horner has denied wrongdoing and Ford trusts its F1 partner, the letter dated Friday, suggests the American manufacturer does not intend to negotiate its values. It read:
“As we have indicated previously, without satisfactory response, Ford’s values are non-negotiable.
“It is imperative that our racing partners share and demonstrate a genuine commitment to those same values. My team and I are available at any time to discuss this matter. We remain insistent on, and hopeful, for a resolution we can all stand behind.”
Horner was continued conducting regular activities during pre-season testing in Bahrain, and it appears to be business as usual for the team boss. Thus, expressing frustration, the Ford CEO said the company was “increasingly frustrated, however, by the lack of resolution or clear indication from you about when you anticipate a fair and just resolution of this matter".
He added:
“We are likewise frustrated by the lack of full transparency surrounding this matter with us, your corporate partners, and look forward to receiving a complete account of all findings.”
Concluding the letter, Farley called for “prompt and serious attention” to the matter. Certain reports suggested that the findings of the investigation would be published before the Bahrain Grand Prix. If true, one could expect the verdict any time this week.
