Christian Horner: Red Bull team principal ‘absolutely’ expects to remain in charge for Saudi Arabian GP
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Christian Horner says he expects to remain Red Bull team principal for next week’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Horner was the main focus of attention at Formula 1’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against him.
Red Bull GmbH, the parent company of the reigning constructors’ champions, announced on Wednesday that the grievance made against Horner by a female colleague had been dismissed following an external investigation carried out by a specialist barrister. The claimant retains the right to appeal.
Horner, who has denied the allegations throughout the process, came under renewed pressure on Thursday as material purporting to be the alleged evidence in the investigation into his conduct was leaked to numerous media organisations and F1 team principals from an anonymous email account.
Christian Horner watched the Bahrain GP podium ceremony with Red Bull owner Chalerm Yoovidhya and his wife Geri Horner
After watching reigning world champion Max Verstappen lead home Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez in a dominant one-two on Saturday, Horner insisted the team was united.
“Yes absolutely. We are a very strong team,” he told Sky Sports F1. “We have got tremendous support, tremendous partners and great shareholders behind us as well.
“You don’t achieve this kind of result by not being united.”
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Horner, who watched the podium ceremony with his wife Geri Horner, and Red Bull GmbH majority stakeholder Chalerm Yoovidhya, was then asked if he expects to still be in charge in Jeddah.
He replied: “Yes, absolutely. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
Horner has been in charge of Red Bull Racing since it formed in 2005 and has led the squad to six constructors’ triumphs and seven drivers’ titles, the last three of which have come in successive seasons for Verstappen.
Speaking after taking pole position in Friday’s qualifying, Verstappen said that Horner was an “incredible boss” whose record couldn’t be questioned “from the performance side of things”.
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After the leaking of the material purporting to be the alleged evidence in the Horner investigation, Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem met on Friday to discuss the situation.
Horner left the Red Bull pit wall during final practice ahead of qualifying on Friday to speak to Ben Sulayem, but neither Formula 1 or the FIA have offered public comment on the situation since the outcome of the investigation was announced.
After the outcome of the investigation was announced on Wednesday, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and McLaren chief executive Zak Brown had urged Formula and the FIA to seek further “transparency” from Red Bull GmbH.
Watch the second round of the new F1 season – the Saudi Arabian GP – live on Sky Sports F1 this coming week, with practice on Thursday, qualifying on Friday and the race at 5pm on Saturday.
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