He informed Sky Sports activities: “Clearly there’s a course of. After all I absolutely deny any allegations which have been made in opposition to me. I’m after all working with that course of which I hope can be concluded within the close to future.”
Thursday 15 February 2024 21:06 UK
The rebellious Pink Bull Components 1 crew boss says it’s “enterprise as standard” and has not thought of resigning after allegations of “inappropriate conduct” have been made in opposition to him.
Christian Horner publicly denied the declare for the primary time since then positioned underneath investigation the Austrian mother or father firm of the Pink Bull GmBH crew.
The colleague's accusations surfaced early final week. Horner has beforehand “completely” denied the allegation.
He broke the silence as he insisted on an inside probe that included him to be interrogated eight hours by a lawyer, didn't make him take into consideration quitting.
“Under no circumstances, completely not,” Horner stated when requested if he had thought of his position as Pink Bull Racing crew principal and managing director.
“I'm absolutely dedicated. I constructed this crew. I satisfied folks to return work right here.”
The motorsport boss, 50, has promised to be at his publish on the first F1 race of the brand new season in Bahrain.
He attended the launch of their new world champion automotive at their headquarters in Milton Keynes on Thursday.
Horner is married to former Spice Lady Geri Halliwell, who he stated has been “very supportive”, and in addition revealed he was “overwhelmed” by the messages of goodwill from throughout the sport.
Requested by Sky Sports activities reporter Craig Slater whether or not he had thought of briefly stepping down from his crew ideas and position as chief government through the investigation, he stated: “It's enterprise as standard, after all there’s a course of.
“After all, I absolutely deny any allegations which have been made in opposition to me. I’m after all working with this course of, which I hope can be concluded within the close to future.”
Slater additionally requested if it was unlucky that the allegation had come into the general public area and inevitably given plenty of consideration to the crew. Horner replied: “After all that's at all times unlucky.
“However the crew is robust. It’s collectively and at this time is a vital day the place we set the marker for the upcoming season.”
Slater requested him about hypothesis about potential friction between him and the Pink Bull workplace in Salzburg, Austria, and “some type of energy battle”.
Horner replied: “We're one crew, we're one group, the help from the shareholders has been phenomenal and we wouldn't be right here with out that help – so no, that's not proper.”
“No friction with Verstappen”
Horner additionally stated there have been no disputes along with his championship driver Max Verstappen, including: “Max could be very centered on his work, very supportive and I'm trying ahead to the upcoming season with him.
“There’ll at all times be hypothesis, however we’re collectively as a crew, that's how we at all times have been and that's how we proceed to be.”
Horner stated he didn’t know when the investigation could be resolved, however “hopefully it will likely be within the not-too-distant future.”
Horner stated he had “a really supportive household, a really supportive spouse.”
“I felt the help from throughout the enterprise and our companions, and the help from throughout the business was additionally overwhelming.”
Horner has been Pink Bull crew boss since they entered Components 1 19 years in the past and is the longest serving boss on the grid.
In that point he has overseen seven world drivers' championships and 6 constructors' titles.
Pink Bull has dominated the game in current seasons, successful 21 of twenty-two races final yr, with Verstappen setting a brand new file of 10 consecutive victories.
The brand new season begins in Bahrain on March 2.
