Christian Horner has pledged to lead Red Bull into the new Formula One season, despite ongoing investigations into his conduct at the motorsport giant.
The defiant team principal vowed to be in post when the new season starts in Bahrain on March 2.
Horner has spoken publicly for the first time after an investigation was launched into an allegation of “inappropriate behaviour” against him by a female colleague.
Again denying the allegations against him, the 50-year-old thanked his wife, ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, as well as industry colleagues, for their support.
“I will be in Bahrain; the process has been going on in the background,” said Horner at yesterday’s launch of Red Bull’s new 2024 car.
“Obviously, there’s been a day job to be getting on with, which is gearing up for the season ahead of us.
“I have a hugely supportive family, a very supportive wife. I have felt the support from within the business and our partners, and the support from within the industry has been overwhelming, too.
“I am confident in the process, which I have fully complied with and will continue to do so, and absolutely deny any of the allegations that have been made against me.
“For me, it is business as normal. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be here.”
Horner was quizzed on the investigation at Red Bull’s new season car launch in Milton Keynes on Thursday.
Direct questions on the nature of the case against Horner were off-limits, but when asked if he had considered resigning, he replied: “Not at all, absolutely not.
“I am fully committed. I built this team. I convinced people to come and work here. I’ve been here since the beginning. There have been highs and lows along the way. We have won 113 races. We have won seven drivers’ world championships. We’ve won six constructors’ world championships in 19 seasons, and that’s in the history books.
“But it’s about what lies ahead, because that’s what’s important, so my focus is on the future.”
The support I have felt from within the business has been overwhelming... I am confident in the process
The internal investigation against Horner was launched on February 5, and last Friday he was grilled by lawyers for eight hours.
Red Bull’s preparations for the new campaign have been entirely overshadowed by the ongoing saga, but world champion Max Verstappen insisted he is unfazed.
The Dutchman won 22 of last year’s 23 races en route to his third F1 crown.
“I don’t feel it has been a distraction,” said Verstappen. “Everyone is very focused and very motivated. The spirit in the team has been fantastic. It’s been honestly better than ever.”
When quizzed on his relationship with Horner, Verstappen insisted that nothing had changed.
“It is very good,” he said. “We’ve achieved a lot of things together, so that doesn’t change suddenly.”
