28 February 2024 , 15:09
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Christian Horner has been cleared of misconduct by Red Bull after an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
Red Bull Racing’s parent company Red Bull GmbH announced on February 5 - more than three weeks ago - that Horner was being investigated following an accusation by a female colleague. Horner denied the claim. There had, however, been uncertainty over his future but the 50-year-old has now been exonerated by an independent barrister, who was employed to review the evidence.
Red Bull Austria, the team's parent company, said in a statement on Wednesday: "The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed. The complainant has a right of appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.
"The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned. Red Bull will continue striving to meet the highest workplace standards."
The 50-year-old, who is married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, had strongly denied the allegations and had been continuing in his role. He was interviewed by a specialist barrister on February 9 and the investigation's results have now emerged.
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Speaking earlier in the month, Horner said: "It's business as usual. Obviously, I fully deny any accusations that have been made against me but of course I'll work with that process, which I hope is concluded in the near future.
"I can't comment on what that process consists (of). I'm confident obviously in the process and working with the process and deny absolutely any allegations being made. I just continue to work within that process until it's concluded." He said that wife Geri, who he married in 2015 and has three children with, had been "very supportive", adding: "My focus has been on the job and the season ahead".
The announcement comes ahead of the 2024 season's opening race in Bahrain on Saturday. Speaking before the verdict emerged, Mercedes' seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton called it an "important moment for the sport to make sure that we stand true to our values”.
Horner has been cleared of misconduct by Red Bull after an investigation (Getty Images)"We always have to do more to try to make the sport and the environment for people to work in feel safe and inclusive,” said Hamilton as he addressed the controversy for the first time ahead of Saturday’s curtain raiser in Bahrain. “Any allegations have to be taken very seriously. We don’t know everything that has gone on but it needs to be resolved because it is hanging over the sport.
“It will be interesting to see how it is dealt with, and the effect that it may or may not have on the sport moving forward. It is a really important moment for the sport to make sure that we stand true to our values.”
Horner has been Red Bull team principal since they entered F1 19 years ago and is the longest-serving boss on the grid. During that period he has overseen seven drivers’ world championships and six constructors’ titles.
Red Bull have dominated the sport in recent seasons and last year won 21 of the 22 races, with Max Verstappen setting a new record for 10 consecutive victories.
Verstappen, who heads into the new campaign as the favourite to win his fourth title in a row, said: “He (Horner) is very important otherwise he wouldn’t have been in that position for such a long time.
“If your team boss disappears for one of two races, for whatever reason, not much is going to happen because everybody is in their role. Then things will start to be different if one of the leaders is not there anymore, but we are not thinking like that.
“We trust the process and we have to see what the outcome will be. Besides that, everyone is focused on what happens on track and we are in a good mood to get going again.”
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