JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Christian Horner said it is time to move on from the scandal which has swirled around the Red Bull team principal for weeks and insisted he and Max Verstappen will continue working together in the long run.
Horner last week was cleared of wrongdoing in a misconduct investigation carried out by Red Bull GmbH, the parent company of Red Bull Racing, following a complaint lodged by a woman working for the F1 team.
Despite the verdict, the controversy has not gone away. On Thursday, sources told ESPN the woman has been suspended by Red Bull.
“An awful lot has been made of this,” Horner told reporters. “It is of great interest in different areas of the media for different reasons. The time now is to draw a line under it.”
The fallout from the scandal has spilled over into the dominant Red Bull race team over the past week.
After Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix at a canter last week, his father Jos said Red Bull would “explode” if Horner stayed in his position.
Jos Verstappen also insinuated his son could leave Red Bull, fueling rumours of a switch to Mercedes, a suggestion Horner dismissed on Thursday.
“I’m certain he will [stay],” Horner said about the three-time world champion. “He has a great team around, he’s got great faith in that team, and we’ve achieved an awful lot together.
“He’s committed until 2028 and yeah from the team side, Max’s side, we’re determined to build on the success we’ve achieved already, those 55 victories and podiums have come in Red Bull Racing cars, we’re building on that, and hopefully many more in the future.”
Horner said he and the Verstappens spoke after the race.
“I’m obviously aware of the comments that were made. There was a discussion subsequent to the race. Everyone’s focus is very much on the future, the team’s focus is very much on defending both of these world titles”.
Jos Verstappen’s comments — which included him saying “[Horner] is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems” — were related to the lingering furore around Horner and the investigation.
The scandal intensified last week when, the day after the verdict was released, a leak of files purportedly related to the complaint thrust the story back into the news.
Horner said he and his family have borne the brunt of the attention since the news broke.
“The only reason this has gained so much attention is the leakage and attention drawn in the media, which has been very trying in many respects and particularly for my family, as it’s all been focused very much in one direction. Then after that others have looked to take advantage of that. F1 is a competitive business and elements have looked to benefit from it and that’s perhaps the not so pretty part of our industry.
“Of course there’s lessons but there’s a process governed in the company, it’s not an FIA issue, not an F1 issue, it’s a company employees issue, and that would be the same in any major organisation.”
He added: “I’m married and have three children. And when that intrusion includes your children and the scrutiny placed on my marriage, I’m very fortunate I have a beautiful family and a very supportive wife. But I’m the only one that has been named in this.
“So… of course, it’s very trying, it’s very challenging, because when there’s children involved, families, parents, et cetera, it’s not pretty.
“And the reality is that there was a grievance raised, it was dealt with in the most progressional manner by the group, by Red Bull GmbH, that appointed an independent KC, one of the most reputable in the land. He took time to investigate fully, he interviewed all the people involved, with others of interest, he had all the facts. He came to a conclusion where he dismissed the grievance.
“As far as I and Red Bull are concerned, we move forward and look to the future. My wife has been phenomenally supportive, as have my family, but the intrusion on my family is now enough and we need to move forward and focus on what we’re here for.”
