Amid ongoing silence regarding the progress of Red Bull’s extensive investigation into allegations made against Horner by a female employee, Ford has escalated its efforts to prompt the energy drinks company to take decisive action.
According to a report by the Associated Press, Ford CEO Jim Farley has penned a letter to Red Bull expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of advancement on an issue deemed of significant importance.
In the letter, which has been reviewed by AP, Farley emphasizes Ford’s growing frustration with the absence of resolution or clarity regarding the anticipated timeline for addressing the matter.
He states, “We are 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. 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.”
Farley insists that Red Bull must give “prompt and serious attention” to the issue at hand.
Ford’s partnership with Red Bull’s new Powertrains division commences at the start of the 2026 season, with marketing activations already underway.
Farley underscores Ford’s discontent with the perceived slow progress and expresses dissatisfaction that previous requests for greater transparency have been disregarded.
He states in the letter, “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.”
Ford is not alone in urging Red Bull to expedite its resolution efforts, particularly with the F1 season-opener scheduled in Bahrain next weekend. There are concerns that the controversy could overshadow the inaugural race of the campaign.
Formula One Management (FOM) recently issued a statement, emphasizing its desire for a swift resolution to the matter. The statement from F1 reads, “We have noted that Red Bull has instigated an independent investigation into internal allegations at Red Bull Racing. We hope that the matter will be clarified at the earliest opportunity, after a fair and thorough process and we will not comment further at this time.”
Throughout the investigation, Horner has retained his position as team boss, participating in the recent car launch in Milton Keynes and last week’s F1 pre-season test in Bahrain. He vehemently denies any wrongdoing in connection with the allegations.
