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Christian Horner has conceded the ongoing investigation into his alleged inappropriate behaviour has been “a distraction” but insists there has been no impact on Red Bull’s preparations for the upcoming campaign.
The team’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH, is investigating the CEO and Team Principal after allegations were made by an employee.
A meeting was held last week between the 50-year-old and an external, specialised lawyer as the team seeks to resolve the matter before the new season gets underway.
The nature of the complaints has not been confirmed, however, Horner was present at the launch of the RB20 at Milton Keynes after also attending the shakedown at Silverstone earlier this week.
Speaking to media, including RacingNews365, Horner said: “Inevitably there has been a distraction, but the team are very together.
“Everybody’s focused on the season ahead, so it’s been very much business as normal and the support has been fantastic.
“In situations like these you see where the strengths are, and it’s been overwhelming the support that I’ve had from within the team. The drivers have been incredibly good, the partners, it’s been incredible.”
Confirming he is “complying and working fully” with the ongoing investigation, he added: “There have been some allegations made, which I fully deny.
“So that [the investigation] is very much going on in the background whilst preparing for the season ahead, and hopefully it will be concluded in the near future.”
Red Bull ‘united’ despite speculation
Much of the speculation has been centred around fractured relations between Red Bull’s parent company, the race team, and an internal rift between Horner and advisor Helmut Marko whose contract was recently renewed.
When asked by RacingNews365 whether there is a divide within the top echelons of the organisation, Horner replied: “We’re very united. We’ve always had tremendous support from the shareholders since Dietrich’s [Mateschitz] passing.
“The shareholders have been incredibly supportive and you can see the level of investment that there is on a campus here with [Red Bull] Power Trains, the future of Formula 1. We’re one team.”
On dealing with the allegations personally, he added: “I have a very supportive family, a very supportive wife, and my focus has been on the job and preparing for the season ahead.”
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