Horner to remain Red Bull team chief as grievance against him is dismissed
Christian Horner will remain in his post as Red Bull team principal.
Red Bull Racing’s parent company Red Bull Gmbh announced on February 5 that Horner was under investigation following an accusation of “inappropriate behaviour” by a female colleague.
Horner emphatically denied the claim and the 50-year-old, who arrived in Bahrain yesterday ahead of this weekend’s opening race of the Formula One season, will stay on as team principal of the British team.
A statement from Red Bull Gmbh read: “The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed.
“The complainant has a right of appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.
“The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned. Red Bull will continue striving to meet the highest workplace standards.”
Horner fully co-operated with the investigation, having been questioned by a lawyer for around eight hours earlier this month at a secret London location away from the team’s Milton Keynes headquarters.
During the internal probe, he continued to be present for official Red Bull activities–including the new car launch in Milton Keynes earlier this month, and also pre-season testing in Bahrain last week. Asked whether he had considered temporarily stepping aside until the conclusion, Horner stressed it was “business as usual”.
He said :“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 has been Red Bull team principal since they entered F1 19 years ago and is the longest-serving boss on the grid.
Under Horner’s leadership, he has overseen seven drivers’ world championships and six constructors’ titles at the British-based F1 team.
Red Bull have dominated the sport in recent seasons and last year won 21 of the 22 races – with dutch driver ma xv erst a pp en setting a new record for 10 consecutive victories.
Addressing the controversy surrounding Horner, seventime world champion Lewis Hamilton said yesterday: “We always have to do more to try to make the sport and the environment
for people to work in feel safe and inclusive.
“Any allegations have to be taken very seriously. We don’t know everything that has gone on but it needs to be resolved because it is hanging over the sport. It will be interesting to see how it is dealt with, and the effect that it may or may not have on the sport moving forward.
“It is a really important moment for the sport to make sure that we stand true to our values.”
Horn er, who is married to former spice girls singer gerihalliw ell, was awarded aC BE for his services to motorsport in the New Year Honours list.
He is due to be in the paddock today for practice ahead of Saturday’s opening round.