Christian Horner has not experienced a ‘scandal’. It is a word that gets thrown around where celebrities are involved, but it does not apply to an investigation into whether a man in a position of authority has displayed coercive, abusive behaviour and sexual harassment.
With the Telegraph describing it as ‘one of Formula One’s most explosive storylines in recent times’ and the Independent as the ‘main course’ of episode one of Netflix’s Drive to Survive, you would think they were describing an EastEnders Christmas special. It is difficult to reconcile reviewers’ excitement to delve back into an investigation that ultimately resulted in a woman suspended from her job for “dishonesty”, in the words of her employer.
The news of this investigation conducted by an external barrister broke in February 2024, with the claims dismissed in March and an appeal against the decision dismissed in August. A seven-month ‘storyline’ condensed and neatly packaged into a DTS episode that’ll get tabloids’ tails wagging.
“The higher you rise, the sharper the knives,” Horner tells the seventh season of the documentary that follows the personalities that make Formula One. A quote that suggests a driver has betrayed him by switching teams, or that McLaren CEO Zak Brown has thrown out a derogatory quote about him to the media. The language that surrounds this investigation into inappropriate conduct has been concerning since it was first announced.
Of course, there is an argument that there is no reason for Horner to be careful with language if he is safe in the knowledge that he’s done nothing wrong. Why should he take accountability for actions that he is vehemently denying? If the allegations are baseless, then he is responding accordingly to a frustrating attack on his reputation.
Unfortunately, there is no room for this attitude in the public eye, regardless of what’s true and what isn’t. Sexual harassment cases must be handled with care. Without care, some begin to sound dismissive of these cases in general despite U.K. Parliament research suggesting that 40% of women and 18% of men have experienced unwanted sexual behaviour in the workplace.
Alexander Zverev, currently World No. 2 in tennis, is an example of how responding to allegations in such a manner can have just as large an effect on your reputation as the allegations themselves.
In 2023, Zverev was hit with a penalty order from a German criminal court in connection with ex-girlfriend Brenda Patea’s claims of domestic abuse, which is only allocated when it is deemed there is no need to go to trial due to compelling evidence. In 2024, he appealed, described the penalty order as ‘complete bullshit’ and wanted to take it to a trial. He then decided to reach a settlement with Patea, therefore avoiding an innocent or guilty verdict from the courts. Still, his only quote for the media following this series of events was that ‘he told [the media] so from the start’. ‘I told you so’ is an effective way to end your comments about your domestic abuse case, after all.
If Zverev had been less angry towards the mother of his child who had brought these claims to court, perhaps he could have shaken off these allegations and moved forward with his successful tennis career after the settlement. Instead, he was heckled in January this year after losing the Australian Open final to Jannik Sinner.
“Australia believes Brenda and Olga”, a woman yelled when he attempted to speak. Believing Brenda and Olga must not have been acceptable at the Rod Laver Arena however, as the woman was promptly thrown out.
Tennis player Zverev’s connection with Formula One’s Christian Horner is as follows; both are men with a significant amount of wealth and therefore, power. Being hit with false allegations, if we assume for a minute that they are false, is a perfect opportunity for these men to support victims of domestic abuse/sexual harassment.
It is an opportunity to condemn abusers, admonish the keyboard warriors who have jumped to their defence and/or launched attacks on the accuser. An opportunity to remind people who may be in a bad situation of the options they have and work with charities that will get victims the help they need when they need it. In an ideal world, these men may have already shown their support for these initiatives and charities.
Some may argue that the above is performative, that this behaviour would be overcompensating, would make them look guilty; but there would still be a net positive of money going where it needs to be.
Instead, men who have to publicly ‘battle’ such allegations almost always fall into a stereotypical defence. Either explaining how their success was bound to attract the wrong kind of attention (“higher you rise, sharper the knives” – Horner) or what a total farce the whole procedure is (“complete bullshit” – Zverev). Though it is understandable that such proceedings would be highly emotional for all parties involved, showcasing your anger in public whilst amid abuse allegations can’t be the approach their multi-million dollar lawyers would suggest.
Drive to Survive and its producers, Box to Box, are as at fault as the media for pushing the ‘scandal’ narrative. Making Christian Horner a main focus of both their first episode and the trailer, teasing the idea of showing the drama behind the scenes: none of it is appropriate coverage of coercive/abusive behaviour and a sexual harassment investigation.
Innocent or guilty, these cases and investigations must be treated with respect by all involved. Without it, we run the risk that victims of the future, of which there will unfortunately be many, become unsure whether their word will be taken seriously. They may not find the courage needed to speak out against injustice at all.
While many may be excited to watch reels of Horner’s point of view on the silver screen as DTS Season 7 is released today, it is important for us to remember the woman’s life that has been left on the cutting room floor.
