14 February 2024 , 17:14
398
0
Red Bull have confirmed that under-fire boss Christian Horner will attend their 2024 season launch event amid an ongoing investigation.
The 50-year-old is currently at the heart of an internal probe after being accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour'. Horner has strongly denied those allegations.
He attended a meeting with a lawyer on Friday and an outcome is not expected imminently. Ahead of that, Horner looks set to play a key role in Red Bull’s preparations for the upcoming campaign.
Red Bull have announced that he will be in attendance during a live-streamed show at the team’s HQ in Milton Keynes. The event will take place on Thursday evening at 7:30pm GMT.
Horner will be present alongside reigning world champion Max Verstappen and his Red Bull colleague Sergio Perez. Academy drivers Emely de Heus and Hamda Al Qubaisi will also feature.
Greggs, Costa & Pret coffees have 'huge differences in caffeine', says report
Horner has already been playing a full role in Red Bull’s preparations for the new campaign. He was spotted at Silverstone on Tuesday for testing of their brand new RB20 car.
That came as ex-F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone denied claims he had urged Horner to leave his post amid the ongoing investigation. Taking to his Instagram story, the 93-year-old wrote: “To clarify reports by newspapers that I had urged or suggested that Christian Horner should step down from his position in Red Bull is entirely UNTRUE.”
In response the original allegations, Red Bull announced: “Having being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation. This process is being carried out by an external specialist barrister.
Horner is currently facing an internal Red Bull investigation (Getty Images)“The investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
Horner, 50, has held the role as Red Bull team principal since 2005 and they have enjoyed huge success since. They lifted their first F1 title in 2010 with the partnership between Sebastian Vettel and Marc Webber - the duo helped the side to three successes after that.
The team have enjoyed another period of dominance since, with Verstappen playing a key role. The Dutchman has won the last three Drivers’ Championships, while Red Bull have lifted two Constructors’ titles in that time.
The 2024 F1 season is set to get underway in just a matter of weeks. The first race takes place in Bahrain on Saturday March 2 before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix just a week later. There is then a fortnight's break before the Australian Grand Prix at the end of March.