Christian Horner received £33.5 million in compensation from Red Bull Racing following his departure as the Formula One team’s principal, according to newly filed company accounts.
The payment was recorded as compensation for “loss of office” in Red Bull Racing’s latest financial statements, filed with Companies House this week.
Horner, 52, had already received £4.4 million in salary before leaving the team. Combined with the compensation payment, his reported earnings from Red Bull amounted to about £38 million.
The figure works out at approximately £729,000 a week.
Departure Followed Texting Controversy
Horner left Red Bull following a prolonged controversy surrounding allegations made by a female employee, who accused him of controlling and coercive behaviour.
He has consistently denied the allegations and was cleared of wrongdoing twice following internal investigations conducted by Red Bull.
The controversy intensified before the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix, when 79 screenshots of WhatsApp exchanges allegedly involving Horner and the female employee were circulated in an anonymous email to senior figures within Formula One.
Despite the publication of the messages, Horner maintained that he had done nothing improper.
Horner’s Record at Red Bull
Horner had been one of the longest-serving senior figures in Formula One, leading Red Bull for around two decades across two periods.
During his tenure, the team secured eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles.
His achievements included the four consecutive drivers’ championships won by Sebastian Vettel and the four successive titles later secured by Max Verstappen.
Horner had been earning about £12 million a year in his role before his departure.
Accuser Later Left Another Motorsport Position
The latest financial disclosure comes after developments involving the woman who made the allegations against Horner.
In August, it emerged that she had been released from another role within motor racing more than a year after Horner’s departure from Red Bull.
According to a source cited by Daily Mail Sport, she was told that her services were no longer required shortly before she was due to travel to Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Her then-employer declined to comment on personnel matters.
It was understood that her position ended after a new senior colleague, with whom she had worked closely, lost confidence in her over what was described as a lack of discretion.
The woman had remained at Red Bull for several months while the controversy surrounding Horner continued and was subsequently reported to have received a payout of approximately £3 million.
Geri Halliwell Continued to Support Horner
Horner’s wife, former Spice Girls singer Geri Halliwell, has publicly supported him throughout the controversy.
The couple, who have three children, have continued to divide their time between their homes in Oxfordshire and London.
Halliwell was also present during the period in which Horner dealt with the fallout from his departure from Red Bull.
Reports Link Horner With Possible F1 Return
Horner’s departure has since been followed by speculation about a possible return to Formula One.
Reports have suggested that he is interested in an opportunity that could also give him an ownership stake in a team.
Ferrari has been among the teams mentioned in speculation surrounding Horner, although Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur continues to have the public backing of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton Addresses Ferrari’s Leadership Structure
Hamilton recently described Vasseur as “the right guy” to lead Ferrari while also discussing the team’s organisational structure.
The comments came amid speculation about Horner and followed a public show of support for Vasseur from Ferrari communications director Maria Conti.
Hamilton said there were changes he would make but declined to specify them, pointing to the different positions occupied by Vasseur and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
He also stressed the importance of structure, stability and having people within an organisation working in the same direction.
Hamilton said Vasseur had his full backing and described him as a “fantastic leader” capable of taking Ferrari in the right direction.
He nevertheless noted that Ferrari’s structure extends beyond the team principal, saying there were people above Vasseur and that the situation was not simply about one individual or one position.
Ferrari Speculation Follows Difficult Results
Vasseur joined Ferrari in 2023 but has yet to deliver a championship under his leadership.
Ferrari’s recent difficulties included the Italian Grand Prix, where Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc were involved in a collision, adding to scrutiny around the team’s performance.
Horner had previously spoken respectfully about Ferrari, contributing to speculation linking him with a potential role at the Italian team.
