According to reports, Jim Farley, the CEO of Ford, has openly voiced the company’s “frustration” with Red Bull’s
conduct of their inquiry into Christian Horner, the team principal.
The American automaker is scheduled to collaborate on their engine programs for the 2026 season with the
current Formula 1 world champions.
But according to the Associated Press, Ford expressed worries about the Red Bull team’s ongoing Horner inquiry
in a letter to them at the end of last week. The manufacturer was “increasingly frustrated” by the “lack of
resolution or clear indication from you about when you anticipate a fair and just resolution of this matter,”
according to excerpts of a letter from Ford CEO Jim Farley to the team that were published.
Farley goes on, “We are also dissatisfied with the lack of complete transparency surrounding this matter with us,
your corporate partners, and we anticipate receiving a comprehensive report of all findings.”
The sharply worded letter puts more pressure on the owners and Red Bull team, who have already started looking
into Horner. Similar demands for a prompt and equitable closure to the independent probe were made last week
by both Formula One Management and the FIA.
It has been over three weeks after Red Bull Austria, the team’s owners, announced that it had opened an
independent investigation into his behavior following staff member allegations. Horner refutes the accusations
made against him.
Horner has carried on in his capacity as team principal despite being the subject of an inquiry, telling the media,
including RaceFans, that things were “business as usual” for the group. He was present for the pre-season test at
the Bahrain International Circuit last week, and he is anticipated to be present for this week’s season-opening
round there as well.
Horner stated that he “can’t comment on the process or the timescale” of the probe during the test. “I know that
everyone wants to wrap up as soon as possible, but I really can’t talk about the process at this point.”
A year ago, Ford and Red Bull announced their relationship, which will see the American automaker dominate
Developing a power unit for the new regulations that are expected to arrive after the next season is a task for Red
Bull’s own powertrains section.
