The father of the woman at the centre of Christian Horner's sexting scandal has broken his silence to support Red Bull Racing's decision to sack the 51-year-old.
Red Bull axed the Briton as team principal with immediate effect on Wednesday morning, bringing an abrupt end to the longest-serving tenure in Formula One history.
The energy drinks giant confirmed the departure and appointed Laurent Mekies as the new CEO of Red Bull Racing.
"Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today, Wednesday 9 July 2025, and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing," the team announced in a statement.
Christian Horner was the longest-serving F1 team principal prior to his dismissal from Red BullGETTYThe 51-year-old's exit concludes a remarkable 20-year reign that began when Red Bull entered Formula One in 2005.
During his leadership, the Milton Keynes-based team secured eight drivers' championships and six constructors' titles.
The team provided no explanation for Horner's sudden departure.
His removal comes 17 months after allegations of inappropriate conduct towards a female employee rocked the sport, though he was cleared in two internal investigations.
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Christian Horner was rocked by the texting scandal last yearNetflix/PAThe father of the woman at the centre of the allegations has revealed he supports the decision to terminate Horner's contract.
Speaking at his home, he told the Daily Mail: "I've read the news and the right thing has happened. It's been all over the news and people know what took place."
He confirmed his daughter no longer works for the Milton Keynes-based team: "You'll have to find out for yourself, I don't want to go into details but she's not involved with them [Red Bull]."
The woman's father declined to elaborate on whether his daughter remains involved in Formula One or what she is doing now.
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His comments mark the first public reaction from the family since the scandal erupted in early 2024, when screenshots of alleged WhatsApp messages between Horner and the Red Bull employee were leaked to nearly 200 people across the sport.
The scandal that ultimately contributed to Horner's downfall began in early 2024 when he faced accusations of coercive behaviour towards a female colleague.
Screenshots of alleged WhatsApp messages between Horner and the employee were anonymously leaked just one day after a three-week external investigation had cleared him of all allegations.
The leaked file, containing texts and images, was distributed to almost 200 individuals connected to Formula One, including media executives, team principals and journalists.
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Christian Horner oversaw eight Drivers' Championships and six Constructors' Championships at Red BullGettyAn independent lawyer conducted a nine-hour interview with Horner as part of the investigation process.
Throughout the controversy, Horner's wife, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, remained supportive of her husband.
According to reports, she urged him to make the scandal "all go away" - a task he appeared to have accomplished until today's dismissal.
Horner underwent a second investigation after the female employee appealed against the initial findings last year.
The appeal was unsuccessful, with the original verdict upheld, clearing Horner of wrongdoing for a second time.
Horner consistently denied all allegations throughout the scandal.
Netflix's Drive to Survive captured his immediate reaction to the leaked texts: "The higher you rise, the sharper the knives."
He told documentary makers: "I've reached the top of my game and I never thought in a million years I'd have a challenge like this in my career.
"You can either hide away or you can get out there and face it."
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