27 February 2024 , 11:32
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Red Bull's investigation into the allegations surrounding team principal Christian Horner is set to be resolved within the next 48 hours.
Horner, 50, has been accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female colleague and earlier this month the Formula 1 team's Austrian parent company, Red Bull GmbH, launched an investigation. The Red Bull F1 boss and CEO strongly denies the allegations and has continued in his dual roles ahead of the new F1 season, which starts on Saturday with the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Drivers will be on track this Thursday for qualifying and Sky Sports report that a decision on Horner's future is likely to be made beforehand. The investigation was carried out by a specialist barrister and included an interview with Horner which was conducted at Red Bull's Milton Keynes headquarters on February 9.
It's added that the extensive report, thought to be well over 100 pages long, is now in the hands of the Red Bull GmbH board. Company chiefs are deciding whether or not Horner should remain in his two positions, and an announcement is set to be communicated on either Tuesday or Wednesday.
The 50-year-old has made numerous public appearances since the investigation began, such as during pre-season testing in Bahrain last week, as well as at the unveiling of Red Bull's new car for the 2024 campaign on February 15. It was at the season launch where Horner, husband of Spice Girls star Geri Halliwell, refuted the allegations.
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Horner affirmed: "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."
Christian Horner is set to discover his fate on Tuesday or Wednesday (ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images)He also said that wife Geri, who he married in 2015 and has three children with, has been "very supportive." "My focus has been on the job and the season ahead," Horner added.
The Leamington Spa-born chief is currently F1's longest-serving team principal. Horner has been in charge of Red Bull since they entered the sport in 2005 and he's overseen the winning of six constructors' and seven drivers' titles.
Horner is currently back in the UK and preparing to return to Bahrain ahead of Grand Prix qualifying. Any statement made by Red Bull GmbH is unlikely to share details of what exactly he was accused of due to confidentiality agreements.
Red Bull are the firm favourites to win another constructors' title, while star driver Max Verstappen is expected to win a fourth successive world championship. Dutchman Verstappen said during testing that it would "nice for everyone" when the investigation is resolved.