Christian Horner breaks silence after being cleared of misconduct

Christian Horner has damaged his silence after being cleared on misconduct by Red Bull Racing on Wednesday, insisting the staff has ‘by no means been stronger’ forward of Saturday’s Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Red Bull principal, husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, will stay in his £8million per yr job forward of Saturday’s curtain raiser in Bahrain, after the Formula One staff confirmed that their inside investigation into allegations towards Horner had been dismissed.

Red Bull launched their probe into Horner, 50, on February 5 after he was accused of ‘coercive behaviour in the direction of a feminine worker’. 

Horner instructed Sky Sports on Thursday morning: ‘I’m simply happy that the method is over, I can not remark about it.

‘The focus may be very a lot now on the Grand Prix and the season forward and to defend each of our titles.’

Christian Horner has damaged his silence after being cleared on misconduct by Red Bull Racing

He urged that his Red Bull staff have ‘by no means been stronger’ forward of the Bahrain Grand Prix

Horner, husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was accused of ‘coercive behaviour in the direction of feminine worker’, with Red Bull launching their investigation on February 5

When requested if he felt this was the top of the matter, the Red Bull chief replied: ‘I can not offer you any additional remark however the course of has been carried out and concluded. I’m happy to be right here in Bahrain and look on to the season forward.

‘The unity within the staff has by no means been stronger.’ 

As Horner touched down within the Gulf Kingdom on Wednesday, he was greeted by information that the investigation had been concluded, with Red Bull GmbH in Salzburg – the world champion staff’s dad or mum firm – saying in a press release: ‘The impartial investigation into the allegations made towards Mr Horner is full, and Red Bull can verify that the grievance has been dismissed.

‘The complainant has a proper of enchantment. Red Bull is assured that the investigation has been truthful, rigorous and neutral.

‘The investigation report is confidential and comprises the non-public info of the events and third events who assisted within the investigation, and, due to this fact, we is not going to be commenting additional out of respect for all involved. Red Bull will proceed striving to satisfy the best office requirements.’

The actual nature of the complaints stay unknown.

Horner was questioned by a KC for a full day at a secret location final month because the barrister gathered proof that he wrote up in 150 pages for the Red Bull board’s dedication over the previous few days. 

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen was quizzed forward of the Bahrain Grand Prix over whether or not Red Bull’s probe into Horner had impacted or altered the staff’s preparations for the season. 

The 50-year-old principal additionally attended the Red Bull automotive launch in Milton Keynes regardless of the allegations, forward of flying out to Bahrain for the 2024 season curtain raiser on Wednesday

Former popstar Geri (left) had been devastated by the jolt to their lives brought on by the claims

The Dutchman, insisting that his focus has not been altered, replied: ‘It would not. I’m very targeted on simply the efficiency of the automotive and myself.

‘Hopefully will probably be resolved very quickly. It’s a complete staff effort that everybody has to stay collectively and work to extra success, in order that’s why it is necessary to get every little thing resolved very quickly.

‘(Horner) is essential in any other case he would not have been in that place for such a very long time.’

Former popstar Geri, mom of their seven-year-old son Monty, stood resolutely by Horner all through the ordeal. She is claimed to be ‘devastated’ by the jolt the investigation has had on their lives. 

It is known she might be part of him in Bahrain to look at the beginning of the 2024 Formula One marketing campaign.

Horner was additionally current at Red Bull’s new automotive launch on February 15 and spoke for the primary staff since allegations got here to mild, claiming Geri had been ‘very supportive’ earlier than insisting he can be current on the Bahrain curtain-raiser. 

‘I’ve a really supportive household and a really supportive spouse,’ he mentioned. 

‘My focus has been on the job and the season forward.

‘There’s been a day job to be getting on with. I really feel the assist inside the enterprise and our companions, and inside the trade. It is overwhelming.

‘There’s a course of that is ongoing in the meanwhile. Some allegations have been made, which I totally deny and I’ve totally complied with that course of and can proceed to take action till it is handled.

‘Everybody’s targeted on one factor, which is the efficiency of that automotive to exit and defend each the world titles that we have labored so exhausting to realize during the last couple of years.

Horner refused to touch upon any particulars of the probe however admitted he’s ‘happy’ it’s over

‘So the automotive is what all people is invested in and I look ahead to seeing it in motion in Bahrain subsequent week.’

Horner has gained 13 world championships since heading the staff as a 31-year-old in 2005. He was then the youngest staff principal on the grid, but is now its longest-serving.