Christian Horner: Lewis Hamilton says allegations against Red Bull boss are 'a really important moment for Formula 1'

13 minutes ago

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Allegations distract the Red Bull team – Horner

The result of Red Bull's internal investigation into team boss Horner is expected immediately on the eve of the new season in Bahrain.

Allegations were made against Horner of inappropriate and controlling behavior towards a colleague.

The 50-year-old has always denied the allegations.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton said: “It needs to be solved because it is putting a strain on the sport.”

“It will be really interesting to see how this is dealt with and what impact it could have on the sport.”

Red Bull's investigation was conducted by an outside attorney who prepared a report to be analyzed by the company's board.

Horner was interviewed three weeks ago. Since then he has appeared publicly in press conferences at the launch of the Red Bull car and during pre-season testing.

In an interview with the ` on February 15, Horner again denied the allegations, saying they were “a distraction” for his team.

Mercedes driver Hamilton added in a press conference ahead of the season's opening race in Bahrain on Saturday: “It's a really important moment for the sport to make sure we stay true to our values.”

“We must do more and more to ensure sport and the environments in which people work feel safe and inclusive. All allegations must be taken very seriously.”

Three-time Red Bull world champion Max Verstappen was asked if he was 100% behind Horner.

The Dutchman replied: “I trust the process that is taking place. It’s also important that everyone sticks together when it comes to performance.”

When asked what he knew about the process and again whether he still had full confidence in Horner, Verstappen said: “I don’t want to get involved in it. That’s not my cup of tea and I don’t want to be involved.”

“We have to trust the patience and the process. There’s no point shouting about it.”

Other drivers alongside Hamilton in the official press conference – Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris and Alex Albon – declined to address the issue.

McLaren Racing chief executive Zak Brown told ` 5 live on Wednesday: “It’s very worrying. It's very worrying. The allegations are extremely serious.”

“All men and women at McLaren are held to the highest moral standards. There are values ​​that are close to our hearts and to everyone in Formula 1.”

“As [commercial rights holder] Formula 1 and [governing body] The FIA ​​has rightly said it wants this investigation to reach a quick and very transparent conclusion and whenever that conclusion is reached, the right action will be taken.”

Hamilton's Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said last week that the Horner investigation was “a problem for the whole of Formula 1”, adding: “If it is carried out in the right way, with transparency and accuracy, we must look at the results and look at its significance.” for F1 and how we can learn from it.

“We want to talk about sport and not about such very, very critical topics.”

Brown pointed out that US auto giant Ford, which will work with Red Bull in Formula 1 on an engine project from 2026, had expressed displeasure with the way Red Bull handled the process.

“Ford recently said they were very frustrated with the speed,” Brown said. “It seems like things should end quickly here because we really need to talk about Formula 1 at the start of the year.”

Brown was referring to a letter that Ford CEO Jim Farley sent to Red Bull and that was leaked to the Associated Press.

Farley wrote that Ford is “increasingly frustrated by the lack of resolution or clear indication from you as to when you expect a fair and equitable resolution to this matter.”

“We are also frustrated by the lack of full transparency on this matter from us, your corporate partners, and look forward to a full disclosure of any findings,” he added.