06 February 2024 , 11:50
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Williams team principal James Vowles has become the first Formula 1 boss to speak out amid an allegation of inappropriate behaviour against Christian Horner.
Red Bull Racing boss Horner is the subject of an investigation, which was announced by the Austria-based parent company on Monday, after a female colleague filed a complaint against him. The 50-year-old has strongly denied the claim.
The energy drinks giant said it has hired an external barrister to lead the "independent" investigation into the allegation made against the long-serving F1 chief. That probe is already underway.
The Red Bull statement read: "The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time."
Speaking to Bloomberg at his team's car launch event on Monday, Williams chief Vowles was asked for his thoughts on the situation. While he admitted he had no knowledge of this specific case, the 44-year-old spoke of the importance of a positive team culture.
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He said: "The sport itself, wind back 20 years ago, male-dominated without question. If you had to ask me what makes up a team (20 years ago), it would be white, more than likely male, more than likely 40 years old... something in that ballpark.
"That's changing, and it's only a positive that's changing that result. I can only control what happens within Williams and what I can do within that environment is open everyone's eyes to this is how we have to be, because the best ideas don't come from being a closed group of individuals. It comes from diversity.
"These allegations are allegations. I'm afraid I don't have any understanding of what is behind them and the significance of what has happened. All I can say [is] that should this ever happen in our regard, we'll be entirely supportive in terms of fixing it and making sure we have a culture that is accepting of everyone.
"I think it means we all have to look each other in the mirror and make sure that we are posing the right questions internally and acting in a way that we can only be proud of, not today but in the next ten years."
Mirror Sport understands the allegation made against Horner is based upon his aggressive style of management. Red Bull hope it will be a swift process. The team's F1 season launch event is due to take place next Thursday, February 15, and there is a strong desire for the matter to be resolved before then. A decision on Horner's future in his role is unlikely to be taken before the investigation has reached a conclusion.