Christian Horner: Scandal-hit Red Bull F1 boss says ‘intrusion on my family is now enough’
Christian Horner has said the “intrusion on my family is now enough” and “has been very trying” after scrutiny following claims that he behaved inappropriately towards a female member of Red Bull staff.
At a news conference ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, the Formula 1 team boss said it was now time to “look forward and to draw a line” under the allegations.
Horner, who has always denied the claims against him, was cleared of misconduct by the team’s Austrian parent company Red Bull GmbH last week.
The 50-year-old was allowed to remain in his role as team principal after the grievance was dismissed.
But, speaking about the impact on his family, Horner said “it’s obviously been a very trying period”, as he called for an immediate end to the intrusion into his personal life.
Horner, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Horner, hit out at the intrusion, including on his children, and the “scrutiny it placed on my marriage”.
He said: “I’m very fortunate that I have a beautiful family and a very supportive wife. And I’m the only one who has been named in this.
“So of course it’s very trying, it’s very challenging, because when there’s children involved, when there’s families, parents etc involved, it’s not pretty.”
He added: “My wife has been phenomenally supportive through this, as has my family, but the intrusion on my family is now enough, and we need to move forward and focus on what we are here for.
“It is time now to focus on why we are here which is to go Formula 1 racing.”
It comes as Sky News understands Horner’s accuser was suspended following the investigation.
When asked by a reporter about the matter, Horner said: “Due to those confidentiality (reasons) and out of respect to the company, and the other party, we are all bound by those same restrictions. So even if I would like to talk about it, I can’t, because of those restrictions.”
Speaking about the inappropriate behaviour allegations and Red Bull’s investigation, Horner said: “There’s been a lot of coverage surrounding this.
“One has to go back to the basis. A grievance was raised, it was fully investigated and it was dismissed. We move onwards.”
“It has been of great interest in different elements of the media for different reasons,” he added. “I think it’s time to draw a line under it. And to focus on what is going on on the track.”
Some have continued to question his position after a file of hundreds of leaked WhatsApp messages was sent to key figures within the sport from an anonymous email account.
It is not clear whether the messages were included in the misconduct investigation and whether they are genuine.
Also, Jos Verstappen, the father of Red Bull F1 champion Max Verstappen, has said the team is “in danger of being torn apart” if Horner remains in charge.
It is understood Horner’s female accuser, who is believed to have reported in for work in Milton Keynes on Monday, has been suspended on full pay as a direct result of the inquiry.
The complainant is believed to have received a legal letter at the start of this week, and now has five working days to appeal against the outcome of the investigation.
A Red Bull Racing spokesperson said: “We are unable to comment as it is an internal matter.”