Red Bull principal Christian Horner responds to leaked messages following his exoneration from allegations of misconduct

Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has issued a statement following the leaking of messages allegedly exchanged between him and a member of the Formula One team. This incident comes shortly after Horner was cleared of misconduct following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

In his statement, Horner reiterated his innocence, stating, “I will not comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate I have always denied the allegations.” He also expressed his respect for the integrity of the independent investigation and confirmed that he fully cooperated with it.

The investigation, conducted by an independent specialist barrister, concluded that the complaint made against Horner was unfounded. Red Bull Austria, the team’s parent company, confirmed the dismissal of the grievance and stated that the investigation was fair, rigorous, and impartial.

The leaked messages and photos, which were reportedly shared with members of the F1 paddock and media just over 24 hours after Horner was cleared, detailed private conversations between Horner and an unnamed individual. Despite this development, Horner remains focused on the upcoming F1 season, stating, “I remain fully focused on the start of the season.”

Horner’s statement comes as he prepares for the opening race of the 2024 F1 season in Bahrain. When asked about the investigation and the leaked messages, Horner emphasized his commitment to focusing on the Grand Prix and the season ahead, indicating that he hoped the matter was now concluded.