Red Bull’s Team Principal has spoken to the press for the first time since the news of his alleged inappropriate behaviour broke.
Last week De Telegraaf had reported the first rumours about the instance of controlling and coercive behaviour towards a female Red Bull staff member, with a first external interview on the matter happening last Friday, in order to get to the bottom of the issue.
Christian Horner talked earlier Thursday ahead of the unveiling of the RB20, as Red Bull Racing try and defend their Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship crowns in 2024.
The British boss admitted that the allegations towards him have definitely taken a toll on him. But he added that he has plenty of support during these hard times. The team’s and his main concern is the upcoming racing season:
“Inevitably, there has been a distraction, but the team are very together, and everybody is focused on the season ahead, so it’s been very much business as normal, and the support has been fantastic.
“Obviously, my focus is very much on the season ahead, it has been business as normal. Obviously there is an investigation that I’m obviously complying and working with fully, but that is very much going on in the background whilst preparing for the season ahead.”
In Horner’s opinion, the ongoing investigation won’t be a source of distraction for the championship-winning team, in spite of the close proximity of pre-season testing, which starts in Bahrain next week.
“I think the team are gearing up for the season ahead. We’re in good shape and pretty focused on going racing. Looking forward to being in Bahrain next week and seeing the RB20 run. The one thing that focuses everybody’s attention is the car. We’re very united and together in that focus.”
In his almost twenty years as the head man of Red Bull Racing since the very start, he has led the team to historical success, seven drivers’ championships, six Constructors’ Championships and some record-breaking seasons, including the 2023 edition with an astonishing 21 race won out of 22 total Grands Prix — 19 for Max Verstappen and 2 for Sergio Perez.
“My focus is very much on the year ahead and the racing ahead of us. The whole team is tremendously proud of what we’ve achieved in the last 19 seasons, but it’s always what lies ahead of you rather than what’s behind you.
“But with great pride in what we’ve done in 19 years as we come into our 20th season, there are some big moments, some real highs, a few lows in there, but some outstanding performances,” he added.
Asked whether the whole Red Bull family of sponsors, co-workers and team ownership has been by his side in the midst of the perilous situation, Horner confirmed:
“We’re very united. We’ve always had tremendous support from the shareholders since Dietrich’s passing. The shareholders have been incredibly supportive. You can see the level of investment that there is on the campus here, with powertrains, with the future of Formula 1, we’re one team.”
