Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has said the team is “united” heading into the 2024 Formula 1 season amid his ongoing investigation into alleged misconduct.
A report this month revealed that Horner has been accused of “inappropriate, controlling behaviour” by a female colleague, prompting an investigation to be opened.
Horner has denied the allegations made against him and he was invited to attend an internal hearing with an external barrister last Friday in a central London location.
In the meantime, Horner has continued to fulfil his usual responsibilities in charge of Red Bull’s F1 operation and was present at the launch of its RB20 car on Thursday.
But rather than fuel speculation regarding the claims, Horner and the Milton Keynes-based squad are looking at the year ahead in a bid to repeat the success of 2023.
“I think that the team are gearing up for the season ahead, we’re in good shape and we’re fully focused on going racing,” Horner told media including Motorsport Week.
“Looking forward to being in Bahrain next week and seeing RB20 run and the one thing that focuses everybody’s attention is the car. We’re very united and together in that focus.
“My focus is very much on the year ahead and the racing ahead of us. The whole team is tremendously proud of what we’ve achieved in the last 19 seasons, but it’s always what lies ahead of you rather than what’s behind you, but with great pride in what we’ve done in 19 years as we come into our 20th season. There’s some big moments, some real highs, a few lows in there, but some outstanding performances.”
Horner has been a part of Red Bull Racing since it first entered the Formula 1 grid in 2005, taking the reigns as the sport’s youngest team boss at the age of 31.
Red Bull sustained an unprecedented season last term, winning all but one of the 22 grands prix to clinch both championships with ease.
The investigation was opened by the parent company, Red Bull GmbH, prompting speculation of an alleged rift between Austria and Milton Keynes within the organisation.
When that suggestion was put to him, Horner reiterated: “We’re very united. We’ve always had tremendous support from the shareholders since Dietrich’s passing. The shareholders have been incredibly supportive, and you can see the level of investment there is on campus here with powertrains, with the future of Formula 1, that we’re one team.”
Horner added that it has been “business as normal” within the team as its preparations towards the season continue while the investigation rumbles on in the background.
“Inevitably there has been a distraction but the team are very together,” he repeated. “Everybody is focused on the season ahead, so it’s been very much business as normal. The support has been fantastic.
“Obviously my focus is very much on the season ahead as it has been business as normal. There is an investigation that I’m obviously complying with and working with fully, but that is very much going on in the background whilst preparing for the season ahead.”
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