For the first time, Formula One and its governing body have responded to claims made against Christian Horner, the
head of Red Bull, who is battling to keep his job at the defending world champions as testing and the season’s start
draw near.
Following vague accusations against the 50-year-old Briton, Red Bull’s parent company in Austria said on February 5
that an independent investigation into his behavior will be conducted. The procedure is still in progress. Horner has
refuted any misconduct.
The owner of the commercial rights to Formula One expressed optimism in a brief statement released on Sunday
“that the matter will be clarified at the earliest opportunity, after a fair and thorough process.”
In response, the Paris-based FIA issued a statement on Monday emphasizing that it “remains committed to
upholding the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and inclusivity within the sport.”
Both stated that they would wait to speak further until they knew the verdict.
The British team and the energy drink manufacturer have not provided information about the accusations, despite
media reports mentioning inappropriate and domineering behavior directed towards a female coworker.
At his team’s RB20 car presentation last Friday in Milton Keynes, Horner stated he was confident and assisting with
the process, while also refuting “absolutely any allegation that’s been made against me.”
According to Sky Sports, an independent barrister’s London hearing on February 9 lasted over eight hours.
In addition to being the longest-serving team manager in Formula One history and the youngest when he led Red
Bull into the sport in 2005, the British driver is scheduled to attend testing in Bahrain this week and is expected to
appear in a regular FIA news conference on Thursday alongside other team principals before the opening race at
Sakhir on March 2. Should Horner be forced out of Red Bull, it would be a seismic shock for the sport. Last year,
Horner and his team celebrated the most dominant season in Formula One history, with Red Bull winning 21 of 22
races. The new season will begin with Dutch driver Max Verstappen chasing a fourth consecutive title.
