07 March 2024 , 15:55
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Christian Horner believes it is "time to draw a line" under his alleged inappropriate behaviour after Red Bull moved to suspend the female colleague who accused him.
Horner, who is married to Spice Girls star Geri Halliwell, was last week cleared of the allegations after the conclusion of an internal investigation which was conducted by an independent barrister and ran for more than three weeks. Twenty four hours after Red Bull announced that they'd dismissed the grievance ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, however, alleged messages and photos sent from Horner were leaked to high-ranking Formula 1 chiefs as well as the media.
F1's longest-serving team boss strongly denied the accusations and maintains his innocence. It emerged on Wednesday afternoon that Red Bull had suspended the complainant, whose right to appeal the verdict of their investigation is understood to expire today, March 6.
Asked about the employee's suspension - which Red Bull are yet to confirm, although they have been contacted by Mirror Sport - during a team principals press conference, Horner replied: "I can't comment on anything that's confidential between the employee and the company."
The 50-year-old added: "Obviously there has been a lot of coverage surrounding this, but one has to go back to the basis of a grievance was raised, it was fully investigated, and it was dismissed. From there we move onwards.
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"I think an awful lot has been made out of this. Obviously it has been of great interest in different elements of the media for different reasons. I think the time now is to look forward and draw a line under it.
"We are here to go racing, we are here as a Formula 1 team, and the time now is to focus on what is going on on track and the performance of the cars and the drivers, where the spotlight should be during the course of a Grand Prix weekend."
Geri Halliwell joined Christian Horner at the Bahrain Grand Prix last Saturday (Clive Mason/Getty Images)But, speaking about the impact on his family, Horner admitted: "The scrutiny on my marriage - I've got a beautiful family - it's been very trying. When there [are] children involved, and family involved, it's not pretty. My wife has been phenomenally supportive. The intrusion on my family is enough," he added. "It's time to focus on why we are here."
Speaking ahead of Saturday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Horner also responded to comments made by Jos Verstappen - the father of Red Bull's lead driver, Max - who claimed that the team were "in danger of being torn apart." The Dutchman also told the Mail: "It can't go on the way it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems."
"I'm obviously aware of the comments that were made," Horner said in response. "There was a discussion subsequent to the race and I think everybody's focus is very much on the future.
Christian Horner has also played down fears over Max Verstappen's future (Getty Images)"The team's focus is very much on defending both of these these world titles we have fought so hard to achieve. Our focus is very much on the future and, as I say, discussions took place following the race in Bahrain and we are all looking forward."
Horner then played down suggestions that three-time world champion Max would look to leave Red Bull following Jos' comments. "I'm certain that he will [see out his long-term contract]," Horner continued. "He's got a great team around him, he's got great faith in that team, and we have achieved an awful lot together.
"He's committed to an agreement to 2028 and from the team side, from Max's side, we're determined to build on the success we've achieved already."