Red Bull’s Christian Horner on scandal: It’s time to move on،
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Christian Horner said it was time to turn the page on the scandal that has swirled around the Red Bull team principal for weeks and insisted he and Max Verstappen would continue to work together at Red Bull in the long term.
Horner was cleared last week in a misconduct investigation by Red Bull GmbH, the parent company of Red Bull Racing, following a complaint by a woman working for the F1 team.
Despite the verdict, the controversy has not disappeared. On Thursday, sources told ESPN that the woman had been suspended by Red Bull.
“A lot has been done about this,” Horner told reporters. “There is a lot of interest in this in different areas of the media for different reasons. The time has come to draw a line under this topic.”
The fallout from the scandal has reverberated through dominant racing team Red Bull over the past week.
After Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix in a gallop last week, his father Jos said Red Bull would “explode” if Horner stayed in his position.
Jos Verstappen also hinted his son could leave Red Bull, fueling rumors of a move to Mercedes, a suggestion Horner rejected on Thursday.
“I'm sure he will [stay]”, Horner said of the three-time world champion. “He has a great team around, he has great confidence in this team and we have achieved a huge amount together.
“He's committed until 2028 and yes, on the team side, on Max's side, we are determined to build on the success that we have already achieved, those 55 wins and podiums have come in the Red cars Bull Racing, we’re building on that, and I hope there’s 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 after the race. Everyone is very focused on the future, the team is very focused on defending these two world titles.”
Jos Verstappen's comments – which included him saying “[Horner] plays the victim, when he's the one causing the problems” — were linked to the lingering furore surrounding Horner and the investigation.
The scandal intensified last week when, the day after the verdict, a leak of files allegedly linked to the complaint pushed the case back into the spotlight.
Horner said he and his family have borne the brunt of the attention since the news broke.
“The only reason this has gotten so much attention is because of the leak and the attention it's gotten in the media, which has been very trying in many ways and especially for my family because it's all been concentrated into one management. Then others have sought to take advantage. F1 is a competitive industry and some elements have sought to take advantage of it and that is perhaps the least pretty part of our industry.
“Of course there are lessons but there is a governed process in the company, it's not an FIA problem, not an F1 problem, it's a company employee problem, and it would be the same in any large organization.”
He added: “I'm married and have three children. And when that intrusion includes your children and the scrutiny of my marriage, I'm very lucky to have a beautiful family and a very supportive wife. But I am the only one.” the one who was named here.
“So… of course, it's very trying, it's very difficult, because when there are children, families, parents, et cetera, it's not pretty.
“And the reality is that there was a complaint, it was handled in the most progressive way by the group, by Red Bull GmbH, who appointed an independent KC, one of the most reputable in the country. He took the time to investigate fully, he interviewed everyone involved, along with other interesting people, he had all the facts and came to a conclusion where he dismissed the grievance.
“As far as Red Bull and I are concerned, we are moving forward and looking to the future. My wife has been phenomenally supportive, as has my family, but the intrusion into my family is now enough and we We need to move forward and focus on why we are here.
