Red Bull boss Christian Horner has been seen in public for the first time since denying a colleague's accusation of “inappropriate behavior” against him.
Spice Girl Geri Halliwell's husband looked smiling, upbeat and relaxed, chatting to others as he enjoyed a day at the Badbury Rings point-to-point races in Dorset yesterday.
The photos emerged after a defiant Horner insisted he would not be banned from Red Bull Racing – and that he was the right person to lead the team into the upcoming Formula 1 season.
Horner, 50, firmly denied a colleague's accusation of “inappropriate behavior” against him and claimed it was “completely normal” for the team.
At Red Bull's car launch in Milton Keynes, he said his team-mates were “incredibly supportive” of him and shareholders were “incredibly supportive”.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner at Badbury Rings in Dorset
Christian was seen chatting to others at the event yesterday
The Red Bull boss was seen smiling and laughing at the event in Dorset yesterday
Christian appears to be taking a photo or video at the event
The 50-year-old was seen for the first time since denying allegations of “inappropriate behavior” against him
Red Bull boss Christian Horner and his wife Geri Halliwell at the Monaco Grand Prix last May
Horner added that he had been “overwhelmed” by messages of goodwill from the sport and had also received support from his wife, Spice Girls singer Geri Halliwell.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: “Firstly, of course, I deny the allegations that have been made, but I'm going through a process and I fully respect that process. “So for me it's business as usual and I'm concentrating for the coming season.
“And of course it's a distraction for the team.” But the team is very together, they're very focused on the coming season and have supported us enormously. So I’m looking forward to the season ahead.”
When asked if he should step down during the investigation, Horner replied: “Well, no, because I deny everything, including none of the allegations that have been made, so it's completely normal for me to focus on the upcoming season.”
He was also asked if he stood by his leadership at Red Bull Racing and replied: “Yes, absolutely.”
The photos emerged after a defiant Christian Horner insisted he would not be banned from Red Bull Racing
Spice Girl Geri Halliwell's husband looked smiling, optimistic and relaxed
Yesterday he was spotted enjoying a day at the Badbury Rings point-to-point race in Dorset.
Horner said he had been “overwhelmed” by the messages of goodwill from the sport
Here he is pictured smiling at an event in Dorset on Sunday
Geri and Christian Horner pictured together in October 2023
Horner is currently expecting to be in Bahrain on March 2nd for the first round of Max Verstappen's championship defense
When asked if he was confident of retaining the full support of all owners, he said: “Yes, I think we are a team.” Shareholders have been incredibly supportive of the team, especially since the sad death of Dietrich Mateschitz.
“And if you look around here on campus, you can see how big the investments were.” You know, the powertrains are coming in 2026, Red Bull Advanced Technologies, cars that we design here on campus.
“The team and group are thriving and enjoying great support from shareholders.”
Horner has been in charge of the Formula One team for two decades but stressed that the investigation had not forced him to consider stepping down.
Asked if he was sure he was the right person to lead the team, he said: “Absolutely. I've been doing it for 20 years and I have no doubt about it.”
Asked if he could guarantee that he had never “behaved inappropriately toward a colleague,” Horner said: “I deny all allegations that have been made against me.”
Finally, when asked if he was “innocent,” Horner replied, “Yes, like I said.”
In a separate interview yesterday, he also thanked his wife and other people for their support.
Horner said: “I have a very supportive family and a very supportive wife. “I felt the support from the company and our partners, and the support from the industry was also overwhelming.”
Formula 1 owners last night demanded that Christian Horner's future as Red Bull team boss be “clarified as quickly as possible”.
F1, owned by American conglomerate Liberty Media, said: “We have determined that Red Bull has launched an independent investigation into the internal allegations at Red Bull Racing.”
“We hope that the matter will be resolved as quickly as possible following a fair and thorough process and will have no further comment at this time.”
No one involved in the investigation will set a time frame for the trial, which will be led by a King's Counsel, an outside arbitrator appointed by parent company Red Bull GmbH, the energy drink company that was founded in 2005 Formula 1 started.