For the first time, Formula One and its governing body have responded to claims made against Christian Horner, the head of Red Bull, who is battling to keep his job at the defending world champions as testing and the season’s start draw near.
Following vague accusations against the 50-year-old Briton, Red Bull’s parent company in Austria said on February 5 that an independent investigation into his behavior was underway. The procedure is still in progress. Horner has refuted any misconduct.
In a brief statement released on Sunday, the company that owns the commercial rights to Formula One expressed its hope that “the matter will be clarified at the earliest opportunity, after a fair and thorough process.”
Following suit on Monday, the Paris-based FIA issued a statement reiterating its commitment to “upholding the highest standards of integrity.
Both stated that they would wait to speak further until they knew the verdict.
The British team and the energy drink manufacturer have not provided information about the accusations, despite media reports mentioning inappropriate and domineering behavior directed towards a female coworker.
In addition to expressing his confidence and cooperation with the process, Horner refuted “absolutely any allegation that’s been made against me” last Friday at the Milton Keynes introduction of his team’s RB20 car.
