08 March 2024 , 09:36
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Red Bull boss Christian Horner hailed his "phenomenally supportive" wife Geri as he called for an end to the "intrusion on my family".
The team principal has been the talk of the Formula 1 paddock after he was accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female staff member. Horner was cleared of the allegations following an internal investigation but leaked texts, allegedly between Horner and the female, were then sent to the press.
It placed huge focus on Horner and his marriage to Geri, a former Spice Girl. The pair were photographed constantly at last weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix with the couple putting on a united front. A week on and Horner wants a line drawn under the saga with his family his sole focus.
He said: "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. It's time to focus on why we are here."
Despite conducting their internal investigation and considering the matter closed, Red Bull has refused to name the lawyer involved or give any insight into how the report was created. Nor have they explained why the decision to dismiss the complaint was made.
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Horner added: "There is a grievance process in any company and that process is confidential between the individuals and the company itself. I am not at liberty due to the confidentiality and out of respect to the company and the other party.
"We are all bound by the same restrictions, even if I would like to talk about it, I can't. The only reason this has gained so much attention is because of the leakage and attention in the media which has been very trying in many respects."
Red Bull have since suspended the employee who made the complaint against Horner, although they haven't confirmed the reason and declined to comment when contacted by Mirror Sport . During a team principals press conference, Horner said: "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."
Max Verstappen was able to claim a dominant victory in the season opener despite all the outside noise. The Dutchman is eyeing a fourth successive world championship and led home a Red Bull 1-2 as they continued their dominance.