Christian Horner cracks a smile with Max Verstappen as Red Bull chief spotted at F1 testing in Bahrain

Christian Horner cracks a smile with Max Verstappen as Red Bull chief spotted at F1 testing in Bahrain

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 21/02/2024

- 10:09

Updated: 21/02/2024

- 10:39

Christian Horner has said it is "business as usual" at Red Bull despite the ongoing investigation.

Christian Horner is back in the paddock on an F1 grid as pre-season testing gets underway in Bahrain this week.

It was confirmed by Red Bull's Austrian parent company earlier this month that Horner was under investigation following allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour' from a female employee.


Horner has vehemently denied the allegations against him and is confident the investigation will clear his name.

The 50-year-old attended an interview with an external lawyer on February 9 for several hours.

It was originally hoped the investigation would be finalised in time for Red Bull's car launch on February 15.

Christian Horner was spotted talking with Max Verstappen at testing

Christian Horner was spotted talking with Max Verstappen at testing

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But no final decision had been made with Horner attending the launch of the RB20 and addressed the media for the first time since the allegations were first reported.

Horner was asked whether it entered his mind about temporarily standing down while the investigation was ongoing.

However, the Red Bull CEO insisted it was "business as usual" and that he had received support from within the team to carry on.

That was evident once again on Wednesday as pre-season testing got underway in Bahrain.

Horner was pictured in the Red Bull garage as Max Verstappen took to the track along with some of his rivals.

Verstappen and Horner were snapped in deep conversation prior to the green light going out on the test.

The three-time world champion was asked whether the investigation into Horner had affected his working relationship with the Red Bull boss during their car launch.

But Verstappen insisted that was not the case and hit back at reports there was a rift between them.

"It's the same as always – I can tell you that," he said.

Christian Horner was back to work in Bahrain

Christian Horner was back to work in Bahrain

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"I mean, I don't know who likes to write these kinds of things. But to me and Christian - it's like always."

Verstappen also stated that he had not been distracted by the investigation.

He added: "From my side I am very focused on my own performance to get ready, to be fit, to be ready to drive the car, to be discussing things with the engineers, what you want to do.

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Christian Horner was at Red Bull's car launch last week

Christian Horner was at Red Bull's car launch last week

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"Plus, my life is not only Formula 1. When I’m at home I prefer not to think about F1 too much outside of my scheduled training.

"There are a lot of things going on in the background for me also, what I want to do in the future from the virtual side of things that I’m working on.

"So I’m busy enough at home."

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