Christian Horner praises Red Bull’s ‘very inclusive team culture’ in first public appearance since ‘conduct’ investigation

Christian Horner has made his first public appearance since the explosive accusations of “inappropriate behavior” were made against him.

The successful F1 team chief faced the cameras today at Red Bull Racing’s season launch event.

The 50-year-old attended the launch event at the team’s Milton Keynes headquarters as scheduled.

He smiled when he first appeared alongside former Red Bull driver David Coulthard.

The two reflected on the retired racing driver’s time with the team, with Horner saying, “It’s a very inclusive culture, the culture of the team.”

He continued: “That’s what it’s all about – the men and women here in Milton Keynes and all the people behind the scenes.

“From these industrial buildings, we created these amazing cars.

“For me, F1 is a team sport and our biggest asset is our people.”

Chief technical officer Adrian Newey then joined the duo, and Horner said he was “keeping the team together” at a time when Mercedes had the upper hand.

Reigning world champions Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have arrived and the team has unveiled an impressive car for the upcoming F1 season.

“I think only time will tell. I’m excited. It’s always a great pleasure to see a new car come to life, including the people around me,” said the 26-year-old Dutchman. .

“For me, it’s about looking forward to Bahrain, getting tested and getting comfortable.

“It’s going to be a long season, but we just want to give it our all.”

Horner told Sky News: “We feel the support within our company, partners and industry has been overwhelming.

“There is an ongoing process. There have been some allegations that have been raised, which I completely deny and have and will continue to fully follow that process.”

“I think it was very clear. From Red Bull’s point of view, it has been business as usual.

“This allegation is an ongoing process for Red Bull and they have confirmed that process externally.

For me, F1 is a team sport and our greatest asset is our people.

christian hornerPrincipal of Red Bull Racing

“But there is work to be done. I completely deny the accusations and my role will clearly continue.”

Horner was asked how he has been able to cope with being in the spotlight and focus on his work amidst all the criticism.

He added: “We will continue to do so until the process, the internal process, is complete, but I cannot say what that process will consist of.”

In a separate interview with a Dutch journalist, Horner said: “I have a very supportive family and a very supportive wife.

“I’m focused on work and the season ahead. I don’t want to talk about personal matters, but my family has been very supportive.”

Red Bull’s launch was the last of this year’s 10 F1 teams, with all 20 cars taking to the track ahead of the blockbuster season opener in Bahrain on March 2nd.

Horner is expected to work diligently over the coming weeks as the team prepares for the start of the F1 season.

This includes media duties, including interviews where he is expected to face questions about his position and the team’s preparations for the season, despite significant distractions.

However, inquiries regarding the investigation into Horner are likely to be rejected until a formal investigation report is submitted to Red Bull at Red Bull’s headquarters in Austria.

Horner faced eight hours of grueling negotiations with Red Bull leaders over the accusations last Friday, but the outcome of the tense negotiations has not yet been made public.

Horner’s future at Red Bull is thought to be in jeopardy, despite the new F1 season starting in a few weeks.

Horner, who is married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, reportedly called the allegations “ridiculous” and publicly stated: “I completely deny these allegations.”

This comes after Horner joined the Red Bull team for a secret test run of the new RB20 car at Silverstone on Tuesday.

F1 teams will be granted two days of filming to capture content of their cars on track, as well as the possibility of running the cars for the first time.

In the video, Horner is surrounded by his fellow Red Bull team members, all smiling and laughing outside the garage in the pouring rain.

What is being claimed?

F1 was rocked earlier this month by sudden news that the sport’s longest-serving team principal was the subject of an investigation by Austria-based Red Bull’s parent company.

The company is said to have produced “documents of incriminating material” relating to “inappropriate and controlling behavior” towards a woman, according to the Telegraph.

The Red Bull Racing boss, who has led the Austrian team since its creation in 2005, was questioned by an independent barrister in private late last Friday afternoon.

The F1 chief was interrogated for eight hours on suspicion of “controlling behavior”.

Horner forced a smile as she was picked up by a chauffeur from her home in north London ahead of an important hearing.

But one F1 source told The Sun last week: “Christian has not been sacked or asked to resign and has no intention of resigning.”

They also revealed that the investigation is far from over and could drag on into the new F1 season.

A source said, “This is not a trial, so we won’t get answers or results today.

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“This is not something that can be fixed quickly.

“People are hoping this will be over before the F1 season starts, but that’s not going to happen.”

The investigation raises questions about who could take over the reins of world champion Max Verstappen’s all-conquering racing team.

Mr Horner’s wife, Geri Halliwell, is also said to be “afraid her life will fall apart” following the investigation into Mr Horner’s “inappropriate behavior”.

The former Spice Girl was “brought to tears” when the Red Bull boss made the bombshell, but she fears the drama will drag on for years, a source claimed.

But Geri, 51, is understood to be standing by her husband.

She told her friends, “Christians have done nothing wrong.”

Horner oversaw the racing team’s huge success, winning multiple F1 championships alongside Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.

Under Horner’s leadership, Red Bull won the F1 World Drivers’ Championship seven times and the World Constructors’ Title six times.

Last season, the team won 21 of the 22 races on the global F1 tour, with 26-year-old Verstappen taking the drivers’ title.

Horner was awarded a CBE for services to motorsport in the 2024 New Year Honors List.