The female Red Bull employee central to the scandal over team principal Christian Horner is said to be “upset and scared” about the saga.
The woman is unable to talk about her claims, having signed a legal undertaking not to publicly discuss the matter.
“It’s impossible for people to understand what it’s like for her,” said a friend, who was talking to BBC Sport on condition of anonymity. “She can’t talk and she won’t talk.
“But I can tell you what it is doing to her. Every time I have asked her something, she breaks down in tears and says she’s got no-one to talk to because she’s not allowed to talk.
“She is very upset, very angry, very scared, very intimidated, very lonely. And I think it’s impossible for people to understand without being in her shoes what it’s like for her.”
