Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is the subject of an inquiry started by the F1 team’s Austrian parent company following complaints of inappropriate behavior; reigning world champion Max Verstappen spoke about the investigation for the first time on Friday.
Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula One world champion, thinks it will be “good for everyone” at Red Bull once an inquiry into team president Christian Horner’s alleged inappropriate behaviour is completed.
Earlier in February, Horner was investigated by the F1 team’s Austrian parent company Red Bull GmbH when a female coworker accused him of inappropriate behavior.
On February 9, the 50-year-old, who rejects the charges, met with the external specialist barrister in charge of the investigation. The interview did not result in a settlement.
Horner visited Red Bull’s car introduction in the United Kingdom last week, when he maintained his denial, and is currently in Bahrain for pre-season testing, which completed on Friday ahead of next weekend’s season-opening Grand Prix at the same venue.
Questions about the inquiry into Horner were not permitted when Verstappen talked to the media at the Milton Keynes launch, so Friday was the first time the Dutchman was publicly questioned about the matter.
“But I suppose, of course, for everyone, it is good when things are settled. But that is all I can say about it.
“Everyone here is focused on the car’s performance, as they should. Everyone understands their function, and everyone is focused on making the entire package faster.”
Horner is F1’s longest serving team principal, having been at the helm of Red Bull since they entered the sport in 2005. He has supervised the winning of six constructors’ and seven drivers’ titles, the last
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff stated on Wednesday that the Horner situation is “an concern for all of Formula One,” while McLaren CEO Zak Brown urged for a “quick” and “transparent” conclusion to the probe.
Horner was asked two questions on the inquiry during the same press conference as Brown, but he declined to comment.
“As you are well aware, there is a process underway in which I am involved, and as such, I am afraid I cannot comment,” Horner stated.
He responded similarly to a later, unrelated question, though he did restate his position from the launch that he hoped the probe would be completed “as soon as feasible.”
“I’m deeply sorry, but I can’t comment on the procedure or the timeline,” he added. “I think clearly everyone wants a result as fast as possible, but I’m really not at liberty to comment on the process.”
