Christian Horner Faces Setback as Key Figure in Sexting Scandal Set to Depart Red Bull for £3M Settlement

A high-profile development in Christian Horner’s ongoing legal and professional challenges has emerged, with reports suggesting the unnamed woman central to his sexting scandal has agreed to a £3 million settlement to exit Red Bull and withdraw her claims against him. According to insiders, the payment – a significant sum – is believed to have prompted her to drop all allegations, despite earlier appeals against an internal probe’s findings that cleared Horner of misconduct toward a female colleague.

The incident, which initially sparked widespread media attention, saw the woman suspended on full pay from Red Bull’s headquarters in March after inconsistencies in her evidence were flagged. She reportedly sought new legal representation to contest the decision, though no further details of her appeal have been disclosed. Horner, who was dismissed as Red Bull team principal in July following a disappointing British Grand Prix, received an £80 million exit package to leave the organization entirely.

Despite the payout, Horner’s ambitions to re-enter Formula 1 remain intact. He is reportedly targeting a return as early as spring 2026, with potential interest from teams such as Alpine, Aston Martin, and Haas. However, recent discussions with these teams have hit a roadblock. At the Singapore Grand Prix, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu confirmed “exploratory” talks with Horner but ruled out any further progress, stating, “That was it. Nothing’s going any further.”

Aston Martin’s Andy Cowell also quashed rumors, telling reporters, “There are no plans for Christian’s involvement in any capacity moving forward.” Alpine’s Steven Nielsen added that while Horner and former team figurehead Flavio Briatore have maintained their friendship, no concrete steps have been taken for a potential partnership. Briatore, a close associate of Horner, has been linked to Renault, which owns Alpine, but his willingness to support a Horner bid remains unclear.

Meanwhile, Williams team principal James Vowles expressed openness to future conversations, though he emphasized the team’s current satisfaction with its structure. “Should always welcome a conversation,” he said. “But I think we’re very happy with the way things are now.”

Horner’s return to F1 appears to hinge on securing a role with substantial control, possibly through a shareholder investment. However, with three teams now distancing themselves, his path back to the sport grows more uncertain. The saga continues to cast a shadow over his legacy, even as the FIA issues its first-ever “heat hazard” warning for this weekend’s race, where temperatures could reach 31°C.