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CHRISTIAN Horner said he hopes the conclusion to a probe into claims he sent sexual messages to a colleague will come “as soon as possible”.
The embattled Red Bull Racing chief refused to comment directly on the allegations made against him during a press conference in Bahrain today.
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EPAThe team arrived on the island Tuesday evening for pre-season testing, with Horner still at the helm as an investigation into claims against him continues.
Horner’s future as leader of the all-conquering team of world champion Max Verstappen hangs in the balance after shock allegations by a female colleague.
The F1 chief, 50, was initially only under investigation over alleged controlling behaviour at work towards a female worker.
But in recent days, fresh claims allege Horner also sent her “sexually suggestive” texts.
He has vehemently denied all claims threatening his position.
Today in Bahrain on day two of testing, he was asked twice about accusations levelled against him by a female staffer.
He said: “There is a process going on which I am part of that process and I am afraid I cannot comment on it.
“Look, I am really sorry but I cannot comment on the process or the time scale.
“I think everybody would like a conclusion as soon as possible but I am really not at liberty to talk about the process.”
McLaren boss Zak Brown was also asked about the way the investigation was being handled by Red Bull and said the sport needs a quick resolution given the negative headlines the story has generated.
He added: “Well, the allegations are extremely serious.
“McLaren holds themselves and all the men and women at McLaren to the highest standards.
“Obviously, diversity and equality and inclusion are extremely important to us, our partners, to everyone in Formula One.
“Red Bull corporation it appears has launched an investigation and all we hope and assume is that will be handled in a very transparent way.
“As FIA and F1 has said, they need to handle it swiftly because I don’t believe these are the type of headlines that F1 wants or needs at this time.
“I just think it’s important that it’s handled in a transparent way in which there is no doubt and no doubt whatsoever that it has been handled appropriately and whatever the conclusion is that that conclusion is handled in an appropriate, transparent manner.”
Earlier today Horner was pictured covering his mouth as he spoke with Sergio Perez.
Wearing a white shirt, Horner could be seen leaning in to listen and reply to the Mexican driver.
On Wednesday, he was pictured smirking as he chatted with Sergio Perez over lunch.
Horner, who has already been present at secret Red Bull test runs, is due to watch star driver Max Verstappen test the RB20 for the first time on an F1 track.
He is also expected to attend a press conference at the testing event alongside other F1 bosses.
The bombshell claims that have rocked F1
F1 was rocked earlier this month by the sudden news that the sport's longest-standing team principal had been placed under investigation by Red Bull's Austria-based parent company.
This was thought to be over a “dossier of incriminating material” regarding “inappropriate and controlling behaviour” towards one female, The Telegraph reported.
Red Bull’s Austrian parent company flew an independent lawyer to the UK to question the multi-millionaire race ace and his accuser.
The former racing driver, who runs world champion Max Verstappen’s all-conquering Red Bull team, endured an eight-hour grilling over the claims last week.
Most recently however, more allegations have come out as the De Telegraaf reported that Horner allegedly sent sex messages to his employee “over an extended period of time”.
Messages were said to have been saved and presented as evidence to the external barrister running the inquiry after the woman made a complaint last December.
Mr Horner categorically denied the new allegations and is thought to be taking legal action against De Telegraaf.
An F1 source told The Sun last week that “Christian has not been sacked or asked to resign and he is not going to resign”.
The investigation raises the question of who could take over the helm of the all-conquering racing team of world champion Max Verstappen.
His wife Geri Halliwell is also said to be “terrified her life will unravel” amid Horner’s “inappropriate behaviour” probe.
The ex-Spice Girl, who was “in floods of tears” when the Red Bull boss was hit with the bombshell allegations, fears the drama will drag on for years, a source has claimed.
But Geri, 51, is understood to be standing by her husband.
She has told pals: “Christian has done nothing wrong.”
Horner has overseen a huge period of success for the racing team – winning multiple F1 championships with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.
Red Bull has won seven Formula One world drivers’ championships and six world constructors’ titles under Horner’s leadership.
Last season, the team won 21 of the 22 races on the global F1 tour, and Verstappen, 26, won the drivers’ crown.
Horner was awarded a CBE for services to motorsport in the 2024 New Year’s Honours List.
Last week, he spoke publicly about the allegations for the first time as he made an appearance at the recent RB20 launch event.
He said: “Inevitably there has been a distraction, but the team are very together.
“Everybody’s focused on the season ahead, so it’s been very much business as normal and the support has been fantastic.
“In situations like these, you see where the strengths are, and it’s been overwhelming the support that I’ve had from within the team.
“There have been some allegations made, which I fully deny, so that the investigation is very much going on in the background whilst preparing for the season ahead, and hopefully it will be concluded in the near future.”
And in one interview, he praised wife Geri Halliwell and said: “I have a very supportive family and a very supportive wife.
Geri was reportedly reduced to tears as news broke of the scandal just days ago – but privately insisted he did nothing wrong.
On Sunday she was seen standing by her husband at a horse racing event in Badbury Rings, Dorset.
The final decision on the Red Bull probe could come out this week – and it remains unclear whether Horner will be able to return to Bahrain for the F1 season opener on March 2.
Horner has overseen a huge period of success for the racing team – winning multiple F1 championships with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.
And Ford have apparently ramped up pressure on their future partners at Red Bull Racing to investigate the outcome “seriously but quickly”.
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GettyChristian Horner's life and career
CHRISTIAN Horner is among the most well-known names in Formula One having helped build Red Bull into one of the biggest teams in the sport.
1973 – Born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
1991 – Wins a Formula Renault scholarship after impressing in karting races
1993-1997 – Competed in a host of competitions including British Formula Three, British Formula Two, and Formula 3000
1997 – Founded and developed the F3000 team Arden
1999 – Retired from driving and continued developing the Arden team
2005 – Appointed head of Red Bull team, becoming the youngest ever team principal at that time
2009 – Wins his first races as team principal with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber
2010 – Wins the Constructors’ Championship and Drivers’ Championship with Vettel – the first of four doubles in a row
2013 – Has a daughter with ex-wife Beverly Allen shortly before the couple split
2014 – Gets engaged to Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell
2015 – Marries Halliwell in Woburn, Bedfordshire
2017 – Horner and Halliwell welcome their son
2021 – Wins another Drivers’ Championship with Max Verstappen, pipping Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the season
2022-23 – Red Bull win the Drivers’ Championship and Constructors’ Championship two years in a row
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