Christian Horner accuser 'receives £3m payout' and leaves Red Bull for another team

The unnamed woman who accused Christian Horner of 'inappropriate behaviour' has reportedly been paid millions of pounds to leave Red Bull. Last year, the former team principal was at the centre of a media storm after the accusations came to light. He was later cleared by Red Bull following two internal investigations and has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

The woman, whose identity is protected by legal anonymity, has agreed to move on and drop her allegations in return for a £3million fee, according to the Daily Mail. The report states that she was in the paddock at the Singapore Grand Prix and has taken up a new position at another team.

Horner has vehemently denied the allegations and was cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent barrister as part of Red Bull's investigation process.

At the time, Horner said: "To reiterate, I have always denied the allegations. I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and fully cooperated with it every step of the way.

"It was a thorough and fair investigation conducted by an independent specialist barrister and it has concluded, dismissing the complaint made."

Horner is no longer involved in F1, having left Red Bull earlier this season in a bombshell development. The 51-year-old was given no explanation for his prompt dismissal, but reports have suggested that he fell victim to an internal power struggle.

Horner is now said to be eyeing a return to the sport and has been linked with a move to Aston Martin, but those rumours were dismissed by team principal Andy Cowell last week.

"It looks as though Christian is ringing up pretty much every team owner at the moment," said Cowell.

"I can clearly say there are no plans for the involvement of Christian in an operational or investment role in the future."

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu recently confirmed that tentative talks had taken place with Horner, saying: "We were approached but nothing has gone any further. It is finished."

Horner reportedly ended up agreeing to an £80m severance package with Red Bull after weeks of negotiations. The deal also covered the amount of gardening leave he will need to serve, allowing him to return to F1 in the first half of the 2026 season.