Formula One urges Red Bull to resolve Horner situation quickly

Formula 1 has urged reigning world champion Red Bull to resolve its investigation into team boss Christian Horner as quickly as possible.

Horner faces allegations from a Red Bull employee regarding controlling behavior and inappropriate text messages.

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Horner, who was interviewed on the matter in London on February 9, vigorously denied the allegations and told ESPN he was confident he would remain the team boss.

The problem looks set to persist at the start of the season, with Horner expected to travel with the team to Bahrain for pre-season testing, which begins on February 21.

Sources within the team told ESPN they hope a solution will be found before the opening race – the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 2 – but there is no set timetable for a decision.

In a statement released on Sunday, F1 said a quick solution was needed.

“We hope that the matter will be clarified as soon as possible after a fair and thorough process,” the statement said.

“We have noted that Red Bull has opened an independent investigation into internal allegations at Red Bull Racing.

“We will not make any further comments at this time.”

The sport's governing body, the FIA, declined to comment while the investigation is ongoing.

Horner has led Red Bull since the team's inception in 2004.

During that time, he helped make them one of the most formidable teams in sports history.

Horner has overseen two periods of dominance, one between 2010 and 2013 and the other in the last three seasons, which have seen the team win the drivers' title three times and the constructors' title twice.