Christian Horner 'interrupted meeting to protest innocence' as details emerge after Red Bull investigation

Christian Horner 'interrupted meeting to protest innocence' as details emerge after Red Bull investigation

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Christian Horner cleared by Red Bull

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 29/02/2024

- 11:51

Updated: 29/02/2024

- 11:58

The 50-year-old is now set to focus on achieving more success after being cleared of misconduct

Christian Horner interrupted a F1 Commission meeting in London earlier this month to tell his fellow team principals that he was innocent of any wrongdoing after being accused of misconduct, according to reports.

Earlier this month, it emerged the 50-year-old was facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour relating to his work.


Horner always denied the claims, with the Red Bull chief convinced he'd be able to clear his name.

On Wednesday, Red Bull confirmed their probe into the Briton was over with Horner cleared of any wrongdoing.

Christian Horner Red Bull

Christian Horner has been cleared by Red Bull after he'd been accused of inappropriate behaviour relating to his work

GETTY

And the Telegraph say Horner interrupted a F1 Commission meeting in London earlier this month to protest his innocence in front of other team principals.

He will now feel vindicated after being cleared, with the 50-year-old set to turn his focus on achieving more success with Red Bull.

Horner has been instrumental amid Red Bull's impressive achievements in the sport over the past 19 years.

He was key to Sebastian Vettel winning four titles on the trot between 2010 and 2013.

And Horner's work has enabled Max Verstappen to dominate over the past four years, with the 26-year-old securing the last three crowns.

There have been rumours the Briton was merely a pawn in a wider power struggle at Red Bull.

And while Horner has been cleared, his long-term future with the team is believed to still be shrouded in uncertainty.

Following the death of Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022, Mark Mateschitz now owns 49 per cent of the energy drink company.

There have been rumours that Mateschitz was keen to get rid of Horner, though these are yet to be substantiated, with some feeling control of racing must return to the company's base in Salzburg.

Horner, as a result, could yet leave Red Bull in the foreseeable future.

There have also been suggestions that his relationship with Verstappen's father, Jos, is 'badly damaged'.

Verstappen, for his part, was said to be 'neutral' towards Horner prior to the 50-year-old being cleared.

Horner is currently in Bahrain ahead of the first race of the new F1 season.

When quizzed on the conclusion to the investigation on Thursday, he responded by saying: "Look, I'm just pleased that the process is over.

"I obviously can't comment about it but we're here very much to focus now on the Grand Prix and the season ahead and trying to defend both of our titles."

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Christian Horner Max Verstappen

Christian Horner and Max Verstappen will be targeting more Red Bull success this year

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When quizzed if the team were unified, he added: "Within the team it's never been stronger."

Meanwhile, reports have claimed Horner's family 'don't feel like celebrating' the news given the strain it has placed on them.

A source told The Sun: “This has been weeks of hell for Christian and his family.

“As he has said all along, these claims are ‘nuts’.

“An exhaustive investigation has been carried out and the allegations have proven to be nonsense.

Christian Horner Red Bull

Christian Horner was always convinced he'd be able to clear his name

GETTY

“Geri has been rock solid behind Christian — and his whole family is relieved and elated that it’s over.

"Those feelings are there but no one close to Christian feels like celebrating much after what he’s been through.

“For the time being his focus is back fully on winning races.”

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