- Christian Horner has arrived in Bahrain for the first day of pre-season testing
- An investigation is ongoing after he was accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour’
- Horner has denied the accusations made against him by a Red Bull employee
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has arrived at the Bahrain International circuit for F1 pre-season testing amid an investigation into alleged ‘inappropriate behaviour’ made against him.
The investigation was launched earlier this month following a complaint made by a female employee at Red Bull. Horner ‘fully denies’ the claims, and appears to be trying to go about his business as usual.
He was pictured in Bahrain on Wednesday morning alongside Red Bull’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey, with the pair preparing to test their team’s new car ahead of the 2024 season getting underway next week.
Horner also attended a secret filming day last Tuesday at Silverstone, and returned to the same track two days later for Red Bull’s new car launch.
Speaking at that event, he revealed that his wife, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, had been ‘very supportive’ since the accusations were made against him.
Red Bull chief Christian Horner has arrived in Bahrain ahead of pre-season testing
Horner was seen walking alongside Red Bull colleague Adrian Newey (left) on Wednesday
Horner has said his wife, Geri Halliwell (right), has been ‘fully supportive’ since the accusations were made against him
Halliwell is ‘devastated’ by the allegations, but has stood by Horner. She unfollowed all of the Beckhams, including her former bandmate Victoria, over the weekend, with the scandal involving her husband threatening to turn toxic.
A report in Holland last week revealed more details of the allegations made against Horner, claiming that he had been accused of sending ‘sexually suggestive messages’ to a Red Bull employee.
Red Bull’s future engine supplier Ford responded to the fresh claims by warning Horner that they expect ‘very high standards of behaviour and integrity’ from their associates.
Horner remains adamant that he is not guilty of any wrongdoing, and has insisted he wants to focus on the season ahead.
It had been hoped that the investigation would be concluded before the season begins, but time is now running out for this to be achieved.
For now, Horner has his sights set on keeping Red Bull at the front of the grid after a dominant 2023 campaign.
Red Bull won 21 of the 22 races last year as Max Verstappen stormed to his third straight world title.
The Dutchman and his team-mate Sergio Perez will look to lay down a marker at pre-season testing over the coming days, with Horner watching on from the Red Bull garage.
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