Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is subject of investigation launched by the F1 team’s Austrian parent company following allegations of inappropriate behaviour; a resolution is expected ahead of this week’s season-opening race in Bahrain
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into Red Bull boss is ‘a really important moment’ for F1 />
Martin Brundle says the ongoing investigation into Red Bull team principle Christian Horner will create some challenges later on within F1
Lewis Hamilton says the outcome of an investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is “a really important moment” for Formula 1.
Horner was placed under investigation by the F1 team’s Austrian parent company Red Bull GmbH following an allegation of inappropriate behaviour being made against him by a female colleague.
The external investigation, which was carried out by a specialist barrister, is understood to have now been completed and a decision on Horner’s future is expected ahead of the Thursday’s opening practice sessions at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
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Horner has denied the accusations throughout the process and is understood to be travelling to Bahrain on Wednesday in preparation for leading the team’s defence of the constructors’ title.
“I think it’s a difficult one to answer, naturally,” seven-time world champion Hamilton said at the drivers’ press conference in Bahrain on Wednesday.
Image: Lewis Hamilton spoke about the investigation into Christian Horner on Wednesday
“We always have to do more to try and make the sport and the environment that people get to work in feel safe and inclusive and any allegations have to be taken very seriously.
“Obviously we don’t know everything that’s gone on, but it does need to be resolved as it’s hanging over the sport. It will be really interesting to see how it’s dealt with moving forwards and the affect that it may or may not have on the sport moving forwards.
“I think it’s a really important moment for the sport to make sure that we stand true to our values.”
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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says the ongoing investigation into his Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner over alleged inappropriate behaviour is ‘an issue for all of Formula 1’
The extensive report, which is thought to run well over 100 pages, is in the hands of the Red Bull GmbH board, who will ultimately decide whether Horner remains in his dual roles of team principal and chief executive.
It was understood and reported on Monday that a decision was expected to be made and communicated on either Tuesday or Wednesday.
By lunchtime on Tuesday, it emerged that there would be no resolution on the first of those expected two days.
Verstappen: Horner investigation doesn’t affect me
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen says the investigation into Horner is not affecting his preparations for the 2024 Formula 1 season.
Asked whether the situation is affecting him, the Red Bull driver said: “It doesn’t. I’m very focused on just the performance of the car and myself. Hopefully it will be resolved very soon.
“It’s a whole team effort that everyone has to stick together and work to more success, so that’s why it’s important to get everything resolved very soon.”
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Max Verstappen says Christian Horner’s investigation doesn’t affect him and he is instead focused on the performance of the car
Later asked to clarify his comments, the Dutchman added: “When you talk about performance, it’s of course very important that everyone stays together.”
Verstappen was repeatedly asked for his thoughts on the investigation during the drivers’ press conference, but urged patience and the avoidance of public proclamations on the situation.
“I do not want to get into that because it’s not my case anyway and I don’t want to be involved with that,” he said.
“But as a team we do trust that process and we just have to be patient, because there’s no need to start saying things, start screaming things out loud. You have to be patient, I think I’ve learnt that over the years.”
Horner is F1’s longest-serving team principal having been at the helm of Red Bull since they entered the sport in 2005 and has overseen the winning of six constructors’ and seven drivers’ titles – the last three of which have come in successive seasons for Verstappen.
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McLaren team principal Zak Brown gives his views on the current investigation surrounding Christian Horner and inappropriate behaviour at Red Bull
Despite turning down the opportunity to give his backing to Horner remaining with the team, Verstappen said that the 50-year-old is “very important” to the Red Bull’s success.
“I think he is very important otherwise he wouldn’t be in that position for such a long time,” Verstappen said.
“Let’s say if your team boss disappears for whatever reason for one or two races, not much is going to happen because everyone is in their role and they know what they have to do in the short term.
“But it’s all about people management over time. And then of course things will start to be different if one of the leaders starts to not be there anymore.
“But we are not thinking like that. Like I said before, we just trust the process that we are in as a team to see what the outcome will be and besides that, at the moment, everyone is just very focused on the performance here at the track and everyone is in a good mood and just excited to get going again.”
Sourse: skysports.com
