Christian Horner remains in office. © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

Image crash averted: Horner acquitted

Less than 24 hours before the first training kilometers of the new season, the matter surrounding Red Bull's world champion Christian Horner, which had been simmering for weeks, was clarified and ended.

28. February 2024

From: dpa

The longest-serving team boss in Formula 1 remains in office. Following the investigation by an independent lawyer, parent company Red Bull said on Wednesday: “Red Bull can confirm that the complaint has been dismissed. The complaining party has the right to appeal.”

An employee had accused Horner of inappropriate behavior; the 50-year-old Briton had denied these allegations since they became known. “Red Bull is confident that the investigation was fair, thorough and unbiased,” the statement continued. Details were not known or given. “The investigation report is confidential and contains private information of the parties and third parties who participated in the investigation. Out of respect for everyone involved, Red Bull will not comment further.”

Hamilton calls for transparency

Formula 1 is thus avoiding a serious image crash immediately before the start of the record season with 24 races. She has already taken damage. Record world champion Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes emphasized that the matter hangs over sport at the official drivers' press conference a few hours before the acquittal was announced: "It is an important moment for sport to show that we stand by our values."

Lewis Hamilton commented on the matter. © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

Even if, according to his own statement, the matter does not bother him, Max Verstappen also hoped for a quick clarification, he said at the Pk. It is not known whether he was already informed about the outcome of the investigation, which was confirmed on February 5th along with the allegations. “It's not my case, we have to trust the process as a team, but we also have to be patient,” he said at the press conference.