MILTON KEYNES, Britain – Christian Horner says he remains “absolutely committed” to the Red Bull Formula One team, despite an ongoing investigation into reported allegations of controlling behavior by a female employee, which he has denied.
Red Bull Racing's parent company, Red Bull GmbH, said earlier this month it had launched an investigation into Horner after becoming aware of the allegations.
A hearing was held on Friday, conducted by an independent lawyer in London, but no further action or results have yet been announced. Red Bull GmbH said in a statement last week before the hearing that it was taking the allegations “extremely seriously.”
At the launch of Red Bull's new F1 car, the RB20, on Thursday, Horner said his focus was “very much on the coming season” and the team's title defense.
“There have been some allegations made that I completely deny,” Horner said. “I am committed to this process and will continue to do so until its completion.”
Although he declined to discuss details of the ongoing investigation, including a timeframe for a resolution, Horner said it was “business as usual” for him as Red Bull team boss and he went to the factory every day to help to help prepare for the new season.
Horner said he had not considered leaving his role. He added that he will be in Bahrain, where F1 pre-season testing will take place on February 21-23 and the opening race of the 2024 season on March 2.
“I built this team,” Horner said. “I convinced people to come and work here. I enjoy working with the team and the people. This team's greatest asset is its people. And that continues to be the case.”
Horner has been in charge of Red Bull's F1 operations since the energy drink giant took over the Jaguar team before the 2005 season, making him the sport's longest-serving team boss.
Under Horner, Red Bull has won seven drivers' championships, including each of the last three courtesy of Max Verstappen, six constructors' titles and 113 Grands Prix.
Horner claimed Red Bull's shareholder support had been “fantastic”, citing its commitment to the F1 team and its wider projects, including its future engine program with Ford and its advanced technologies division.
“We are a team and the support was very clear,” Horner said.
Red Bull enters the 2024 season as heavy favorites to defend their title and Horner did not believe the ongoing investigation would in any way distract his preparations.
“It brings the team together in moments of uncertainty, and I have never seen the team come together or be more supportive than they are,” Horner said.
“Everyone is focused on one thing, which is the performance of this car to defend both world championship titles that we have worked so hard for over the last few years.”
Verstappen, the three-time world champion, also denied the investigation could overshadow preparations, saying morale was “fantastic” and everyone in the team was “very focused and motivated”. He also said his interactions with Horner were “normal.”
But the team told the media that Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Pérez could not answer questions about the ongoing trial, with Verstappen saying: “No, because you will make up stories about it again and then there will be speculation.”
“It’s better to just not ask about it and just wait for the trial.”
The launch of the Red Bull car was staged as a tribute to the team's history, including appearances from key figures such as technical director Adrian Newey, technical director Pierre Wache and David Coulthard, who drove the first Red Bull F1 at the 2006 Monaco Grand Prix. Podium achieved price.
Coulthard drove the first Red Bull F1 car, the RB1, in a demonstration alongside Verstappen in the RB20 car during a day of filming at Silverstone on Wednesday.
The event gave Verstappen the first opportunity to try out the new Red Bull car, which features a number of modifications over last year's model, which won 21 of 22 races, becoming the most dominant car in F1 history.
Detail shot of the RB20 seen during Red Bull Racing's launch in 2024 (Courtesy of Red Bull F1)
Changes include a Mercedes-style engine cover and “shoulder,” as well as changes to the sidepod, an area where Red Bull has set a design trend over the past two years. But the team kept the true design of the vehicle's floor hidden, meaning the RB20 won't be fully revealed until pre-season testing begins in Bahrain next week.
Detail shot of the RB20 seen during Red Bull Racing's launch in 2024 (Courtesy of Red Bull F1)
“It’s definitely better,” said Verstappen about the new car. “I think we're happy with what we've done. Of course, we don't know how much other people have improved, but we are satisfied.
“It's not that we felt like we didn't make it or whatever. I think we’re proud of what we put into the car.”
(Photo: Giuseppe Cacace / AFP via Getty Images)