Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has spoken publicly for the first time since being placed under investigation by the Formula 1 team’s parent company following an accusation of inappropriate behaviour.
Horner attended the launch of Red Bull’s new car for the 2024 season in an event at their Milton Keynes base on Thursday.
The 50-year-old publicly denied the allegations for the first time. He has previously denied the accusations “entirely”.
Horner, who has been at the helm of Red Bull’s F1 team since its launch in 2005, is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Formula 1 team’s Austrian parent company Red Bull GmbH following allegations of inappropriate behaviour being made against him by a colleague.
Horner was interviewed on Friday in London by the external specialist barrister carrying out the investigation. No resolution on the matter was reached during that first interview.
Horner reiterates denial and says he is ‘working with the process’
In an interview with Sky Sports News, Horner was asked if had considered temporarily stepping aside from his role at Red Bull Racing – where he holds the dual position of team principal and CEO – during the course of the investigation into the allegations made against him.
“No. It’s business as usual,” he said. “There obviously is a process.
“Obviously, I fully deny any accusations that have been made against me but of course I’ll work with that process, which I hope is concluded in the near future.”
Horner’s appearance at the team’s launch of their 20th F1 car was his first at a public event since the investigation was confirmed by Red Bull last week.
Asked in a separate media session why had opted to still attend the launch amid spotlight on him, Horner replied: “I’ve denied the allegations. For me it’s business as normal.
“I’m confident in that. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be here.”
He said he had been working daily at the factory since returning from the Christmas break on January 8 and that he would be in Bahrain for the first race of the new season on March 2.
On the investigation, Horner said that “I can’t comment on what that process consists” and added: “I’m confident obviously in the process and working with the process and deny absolutely any allegations being made. I just continue to obviously work within that process until it’s concluded.”
Horner said he remained “fully committed to this team” which he has led for 19 years.
“I have built this team, I’ve convinced people to come here and work here, I enjoy working with the team and with the people,” he said.
“The biggest asset of this team is the people and that continues to be the case.”
Horner denies claims of rifts with Verstappens, Red Bull hierarchy
Christian Horner in conversation with Max Verstappen and his father Jos in the paddock at the Qatar GP in 2023
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Horner also denied media reports which have surfaced in recent days claiming the existence of tension between key figures at the world championship-winning team.
Asked if there was any friction between himself and Max and Jos Verstappen, Horner said: “No not at all. I was with Jos and Max at Silverstone a couple of days ago.
“Max is very focused on his job. He’s been very supportive and I’m looking forward to the season ahead with him.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s triple world champion driver, said his relationship with his team boss was “like normal”.
“It is very good,” said Verstappen in a separate media session at the launch.
“We have seen each other quite a couple of times, I’ve been on the simulator, he was also there when we were filming. We have achieved a lot of things together so that doesn’t change suddenly.”
Meanwhile, on his relationship with Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Horner said: “There’s always going to be speculation but we’re together as one team, that’s the way we’ve always been and that’s the way we continue to be.”
Horner also denied suggestions that there was tension between him and the Red Bull parent company in Austria, which own the F1 team and are conducting the investigation into the allegations against the team principal.
“We’re one team, we’re one group,” he said.
“The support from the shareholders has been phenomenal and without that support we wouldn’t be here. So no, that’s not correct.”