28 February 2024 , 16:04
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Lewis Hamilton described the now completed investigation into Christian Horner's alleged inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague at Red Bull "a really important moment for the sport."
Having continually denied the accusations, Horner has now been cleared by Red Bull chiefs, who released a statement on Wednesday afternoon shortly after Hamilton's comments when previewing this Saturday's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver, 39, addressed the controversy prior to the completion of the investigation by saying: "We always have to do more to try to make the sport and the environment for people to work in feel safe and inclusive.
"Any allegations have to be taken very seriously. We don't know everything that has gone on but it needs to be resolved because it is hanging over the sport.
"It will be interesting to see how it is dealt with, and the effect that it may or may not have on the sport moving forward. It is a really important moment for the sport to make sure that we stand true to our values."
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A spokesperson for Red Bull said: "The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed. The complainant has a right of appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.
"The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned. Red Bull will continue striving to meet the highest workplace standards."
Meanwhile, Red Bull driver and three-time world champion Max Verstappen has kept his focus on racing. Also speaking before his team's statement was released, Verstappen said of Horner: "He is very important otherwise he wouldn't have been in that position for such a long time.
"If your team boss disappears for one of two races, for whatever reason, not much is going to happen because everybody is in their role. Then things will start to be different if one of the leaders is not there anymore, but we are not thinking like that.
Christian Horner has been cleared by Red Bull (Philippe Nanchino/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)"We trust the process and we have to see what the outcome will be. Besides that, everyone is focused on what happens on track and we are in a good mood to get going again."
Horner once again refuted the now dismissed allegations during testing in Bahrain last week. "There's been a day job to be getting on with," the 50-year-old affirmed. "I feel the support within the business and our partners, and within the industry.
"It is overwhelming. There's a process that's ongoing at the moment. Some allegations have been made, which I fully deny and I have fully complied with that process and will continue to do so until it's dealt with.
"Everybody's focused on one thing, which is the performance of that car to go out and defend both the world titles that we've worked so hard to achieve over the last couple of years."