Pink Bull group boss Christian Horner is topic to an investigation by the F1 group's Austrian mum or dad firm over allegations of inappropriate behaviour; Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says the method ought to be carried out “transparently and constantly”; Horner denies the allegations
12:54 UK Wednesday 21 February 2024
Mercedes group principal Toto Wolff says the continuing investigation into his Pink Bull counterpart Christian Horner over alleged misconduct is “an issue for the entire of System 1”.
In early February, Horner was investigated by the F1 group's Austrian mum or dad firm Pink Bull GmbH following allegations of inappropriate habits leveled towards him by a feminine colleague.
The 50-year-old man, who denies the allegations, was interviewed on February 9 by an exterior specialist lawyer conducting the investigation. No decision was reached on this matter throughout the interview.
Horner then attended Pink Bull's 2024 automotive launch on February 15, the place he addressed the media for the primary time for the reason that allegations turned public and reiterated his denials. He’s additionally current in Bahrain, the place F1 pre-season testing started on Wednesday.
Throughout a press convention between the 2 classes on Wednesday, attended by the 5 group principals, all have been requested about their emotions on Horner's scenario and what the truth that he stays in his function says with the continuing investigation into “F1's angle to gender equality”.
Wolff was the primary and solely group boss to reply the query: “I believe it's clear. System 1 and what the groups do, we stand for inclusion, equality, equity, range, and that's not simply speaking about it, however dwelling it day after day, day after day.
“And I believe these are the requirements we set for ourselves. We’re a worldwide sport, one of the crucial necessary sports activities platforms on the planet, and we’re function fashions.”
“However having mentioned that, there's been numerous hypothesis happening in the previous few weeks, hypothesis that we've heard about and numerous issues which might be occurring.
“And I believe what's necessary at this stage, for the method with rigour… What Pink Bull has launched as an unbiased investigation, if it's accomplished in the proper method with transparency and rigour, I believe that's one thing that we have to look – what are the outcomes and what does it imply for System 1 and the way can we study from it.
After an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour, Horner defended his place at Pink Bull, saying: “It's enterprise as ordinary”
“As a result of we need to speak about racing automobiles and we need to speak about sports activities moderately than these very vital points, [than] is it only a group drawback, is it a phenomenon or is it an issue for the entire of System 1 and normally each particular person who works there.”
Wolff's feedback come days after System 1 issued an announcement calling on Pink Bull to make clear the scenario “on the earliest alternative”.
“We word that Pink Bull has initiated an unbiased investigation into the inner allegations at Pink Bull Racing,” it mentioned in an announcement. “We hope that the matter might be resolved on the earliest alternative, following a good and thorough course of. We is not going to remark additional at the moment.”
Horner is because of seem at a press convention in Bahrain on Thursday, throughout the second of three days of pre-season testing which is being broadcast dwell. Sky Sports activities.
The opening race of the season, during which Pink Bull's Max Verstappen will try to win a fourth consecutive drivers' title, additionally takes place at Sakhir on March 2.
What did Horner say?
In an interview with Sky Sports activities Information at Pink Bull's launch final week, Horner was requested if he had thought of stepping down from his function – the place he holds the twin place of group boss and CEO – amid the investigation into the allegations towards him.
“No. It's enterprise as ordinary,” he mentioned. “After all there’s a course of.
“After all, I absolutely deny any allegations which were made towards me, however in fact I’ll work on this course of, which I hope might be concluded within the close to future.”
After an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour, Horner defended his place at Pink Bull, saying: “It's enterprise as ordinary”
Horner is F1's longest-serving group boss and has led Pink Bull to 6 constructors' titles for the reason that Milton Keynes group's debut season in 2005.
Requested in a separate media session why he determined to nonetheless participate within the launch when the highlight was on him, Horner replied: “I denied the allegations. It's a traditional factor for me.”
“I'm positive of it. If I hadn't, I wouldn't be right here.”
Horner informed the inquest that he “can’t touch upon what the method is” and added: “I’m assured of the method and I’m working with the method and I completely deny any allegations which were made. as a part of this course of till it’s closed.”
Sky Sports activities F1 pre-season testing schedule
Wednesday twenty first February – Day One
- 11:55-16:05: Afternoon session
- 8.00pm: Take a look at cowl
- 20:30: Ted's take a look at laptop computer
Thursday, February 22 – Day two
- 6:50-11:05: Morning session
- 11:55-16:05: Afternoon session
- 8.00pm: Take a look at cowl
- 20:30: Ted's take a look at laptop computer
Friday 23 February – Day Three
- 6:50-11:05: Morning session
- 11:55-16:05: Afternoon session
- 8.00pm: Take a look at cowl
- 20:30: Ted's take a look at laptop computer
- 21:00: Improvement Nook
When is the primary F1 race?
Only one week after testing, the opening race of the 2024 season, the Bahrain Grand Prix, will start from February 29 to March 2.
As a result of Muslim holy interval of Ramadan, Bahrain and 7 days later the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix might be held on Saturday.
Which means that the primary and second follow will happen on Thursday, the ultimate follow and qualifying on Friday.
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Observe dwell pre-season testing after which each spherical of the brand new season, beginning with the Bahrain Grand Prix from 29 February to 2 March. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month membership
