Crimson Bull staff boss Christian Horner is topic to an investigation by the F1 staff's Austrian father or mother firm following allegations of inappropriate behaviour; F1 has known as on Crimson Bull to resolve the state of affairs, hoping it “can be cleared up on the earliest alternative”
11:35, UK, Monday 19 February 2024
Method 1 has known as on Crimson Bull to make clear the continuing investigation into staff principal Christian Horner on the “nearest alternative”.
Earlier this month, Horner was investigated by the F1 staff's Austrian father or mother firm Crimson Bull GmbH after a colleague was accused of inappropriate behaviour.
The 50-year-old, who denies the allegations, attended an interview on February 9 with an exterior specialist solicitor conducting the investigation. No decision was reached on this matter throughout the first interview.
Horner then attended Crimson Bull's 2024 automobile launch on February 15, the place he addressed the media for the primary time for the reason that allegations grew to become public and reiterated his denials.
With pre-season testing set to start on Wednesday forward of the opening race of the 12 months in Bahrain on March 2, F1 made its first official touch upon the matter on Sunday.
Christian Horner defends his place at Crimson Bull after investigation into misconduct allegations, saying: 'It's enterprise as ordinary'
“We word that Crimson Bull has initiated an unbiased investigation into the interior allegations at Crimson Bull Racing,” it mentioned in an announcement.
“We hope that the matter can be resolved on the earliest alternative, following a good and thorough course of. We is not going to remark additional at the moment.”
On Monday, the FIA issued an announcement saying it might not remark additional till the investigation was full.
“In relation to the unbiased investigation at present being carried out by Crimson Bull GMbH, the FIA reiterates that till the investigation is accomplished and the result is thought, we is not going to remark additional,” the assertion learn.
“The FIA stays dedicated to selling the best requirements of integrity, equity and inclusiveness inside the sport.”
Horner denies once more at Crimson Bull begin
In an interview with Sky Sports activities Information at Crimson Bull's presentation on Thursday, Horner was requested if he had thought-about quickly stepping down from his position – the place he holds the twin place of staff principal and CEO – pending an investigation into the allegations towards him.
“No. It's enterprise as ordinary,” he mentioned.
“In fact there’s a course of.
“In fact, I totally deny any allegations which were made towards me, however after all I’ll work on this course of, which I hope can be concluded within the close to future.”
Crimson Bull's Christian Horner has spoken out for the primary time since allegations of misconduct emerged, with Sky F1's Craig Slater giving his response.
Horner is F1's longest-serving staff boss and has led Crimson Bull to 6 constructors' titles for the reason that Milton Keynes staff'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.”
He mentioned he had been working day by day on the manufacturing unit since getting back from the Christmas break on January 8 and could be in Bahrain for the primary race of the brand new season.
The Crimson Bull staff boss additionally mentioned he was “overwhelmed” by the assist he had acquired from “inside the enterprise, our companions and inside the trade”.
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.”
Horner mentioned he remained “totally dedicated to this staff” he led for 19 years.
“I constructed this staff, I satisfied individuals to come back right here and work right here, I get pleasure from working with the staff and with individuals,” he mentioned.
“The best asset of this staff is the individuals, and that continues to be true.”
Horner denies claims of rift with Verstappens, Crimson Bull hierarchy
Converse with Sky Sports activities InformationHorner additionally denied media studies that had emerged claiming there was stress between key figures within the World Cup-winning staff.
Requested if there had been any friction between him and Max Verstappen or the three-time reigning world champion's father Jose, Horner mentioned: “In no way. I used to be with Jose and Max at Silverstone a couple of days in the past.”
“Max could be very targeted on his work. He has been very supportive and I’m wanting ahead to the upcoming season with him.”
Crimson Bull's three-time world champion Max Verstappen mentioned his relationship along with his staff boss was “like regular”.
“It's excellent,” Verstappen mentioned in a separate media session on the launch.
“We've seen one another a couple of occasions, I've been on the simulator, he's been there once we've filmed. We've performed lots collectively, so it's not going to alter rapidly.”
In the meantime, Horner mentioned of his relationship with Helmut Mark, Crimson Bull's motorsport adviser: “There’ll at all times be hypothesis, however we’re collectively as a staff, we at all times have been and we proceed to be. “
And with the investigation coming amid studies of an alleged “energy wrestle” between the Crimson Bull staff in Milton Keynes and the board of the father or mother firm in Austria following the loss of life of firm co-owner Dietrich Mateschitz in October 2022, Horner insisted. : “We’re one staff, we’re one group.
“The assist from shareholders has been phenomenal and we wouldn't be right here with out that assist. So no, that's not proper.”
