Christian Horner Q&A: Red Bull boss grilled about ongoing investigation

Christian Horner has stressed that he’s “absolutely” committed to the Red Bull F1 team and has denied the allegations about his conduct relating to an ongoing investigation.

Horner is currently being investigated by an independent lawyer over claims about his behaviour towards a female employee.

The Red Bull boss has categorically rejected those claims and was present at the team’s launch of the RB20 - their 2024 F1 challenger.

Horner has been Red Bull team principal since the team’s inception in 2005, guiding them to seven drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships.

His future with the team is uncertain with the time frame surrounding the investigation undetermined.

Horner addressed the situation at the team’s base in Milton Keynes on Thursday.

Q: What have the last number of days been like for you? Has your name been in the limelight and news been easy to deal with?

“My focus is very much on the season ahead. Obviously, it is great to see the car run for the first time at Silverstone. It was great to see the 20th edition of our Red Bull car unveiled today. And so, of course the process has been going on in the background. And obviously, there's been a day job to be getting on with, which is very much focused on gearing up for the season ahead of us.”

Q: Do you feel the support of everyone in the factory?

“I feel the support within the business, within our partners, within the industry - it is overwhelming. There's a process that's ongoing at the moment. Some allegations have been made, which I fully deny and I have fully complied with that process and will continue to do so until its complete.”

Q: You are in a situation where the CEO might expect to be suspended while the allegations are investigated. Why hasn’t that been the process taken by Red Bull?

“I think it's been very clear. In the position of Red Bull, it has been business as normal. The allegations is a process that Red Bull are running through and confirmed that process externally, but you know, obviously there's a job to do and I denied fully the accusations and my role obviously continues.”

Q: Has it been a distraction for the team?

“Look, I think moments of uncertainty brings us together and I've never seen a team more together and supporting than it is. Everybody's focused on one thing, which is the performance of that car to go out and defend both the world titles that we've worked so hard to achieve over the last couple of years. So the car is what everybody is invested in and I look forward to seeing it in action in Bahrain next week.”

Q: Do you expect to be in your position for the first race in Bahrain?

“I am confident in the process and working with the process and absolutely deny any of the allegations that has been made. I just continue to obviously work within that process.”

Q: What does the future look like? Do you see yourself still doing this job long term?

“I'm absolutely committed to this team. I've been here since the beginning. I've built this team. There's been highs and lows along the way. We have won 113 races. Won seven drivers’ world championships. We've won six constructors’ world championships in 19 seasons, and you know, that's in the history books. But it's what lies ahead, because that's what’s important. So my focus is on the future. It on Red Bull powertrains becoming a startup engine business. We have an advanced technology business system producing the first ever Red Bull track car and of course, there's a lot going on the campus.”

Q: Is it possible to conduct business as usual with this going on in the background?

“I will continue to do so until the conclusion of the process, the internal process I can't tell you what that process consists of, and that's it.”

Q: How challenging has it been?

“I don't want to talk about the process, so my focus and commitment is to be put into the team and making sure that we're in the best shape possible for the season ahead. I think you can see we've got a car that looks a great evolution from last year and perhaps some very competitive rivals that are looking to beat us. So my focus is very much on Bahrain next week.”

Q: Do you feel you’ve got the support of senior RB figures?

“The support from the shareholders I've had, it’s been been fantastic. I think the support for shareholders following the death of Dietrich Mateschitz, you can see the commitment that there is in Formula One - Red Bull powertrains to advanced technologies. We're one we're one team and that support has been has been very clear.”

Q: How concerned are you about the damage this could to do Red Bull and F1?

“Well, I think I am not going comment on that because there's obviously a process that has to go through, I will only speak about it at the end of that process.”

Q: Any indications on when the process will be complete?

“It has to run its course but I don’t know.”

Q: Have you at any point in 20 years not envisaged being at the team still?

“No. My commitment has always been absolutely to this team. I think you've seen that in the good days and bad days. The commitment is always has always been to this team. It's very personal to me because I've invested so much personally.”

Q: What is Adrian Newey's future?

“I'm gonna discuss the ins and outs of contracts. We have a great team. Great strength Adrian has been here a long time as I have, also many others.”