Ford has asked Red Bull to respond to its investigation into the allegations against Christian Horner, the Formula 1 team principal. According to the Associated Press, Ford is “disappointed with the lack of full transparency” it has found. The AP claims to have seen a letter sent by CEO Jim Farley to the team on Friday. Ford is scheduled to collaborate with Red Bull on the team’s in-house engine project in 2026. Farley expressed his dissatisfaction with “unresolved allegations of misconduct by the leadership of Red Bull Racing.” Horner has been under investigation by Red Bull’s parent company since early February for alleged misconduct. He was interviewed on February 9 by an “external specialist lawyer.” The investigation is ongoing, and Horner has made public appearances since then, including the team’s 2024 F1 car launch and pre-season testing in Bahrain. During a team principals’ press conference, he was involved in an uncomfortable exchange. Farley emphasized Ford’s desire for a “swift and serious resolution” to the investigation. McLaren’s Zak Brown and Mercedes’ Toto Wolff, two F1 team principals who commented on the matter, also emphasized the need for “transparency and thoroughness.” Farley stated that Ford had requested additional information from Red Bull nearly two weeks ago and warned that “Ford’s values are non-negotiable” if there is no satisfactory response. He wrote in the letter: “It is crucial that our racing partners share and demonstrate a genuine commitment to these same values. My team and I are available at any time to discuss this matter. We are determined to achieve a resolution that we can all support.” According to Mark Rushbrook, Ford’s Performance Director, who has already acknowledged that Red Bull is “taking the situation very seriously,” Farley expressed confidence in the impartiality of the investigation. However, he also expressed growing frustration with the lack of a resolution or clear indication from Red Bull as to when a fair and appropriate resolution can be expected. He stated: “We are equally frustrated with the lack of full transparency with us, your corporate partners, regarding this matter, and we eagerly await a comprehensive report of all findings.”
