- Christian Horner has arrived in Bahrain for the first day of pre-season testing
- Under investigation after being accused of ‘inappropriate conduct’
- Horner has denied the accusations made against him by a Red Bull employee
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has arrived at the Bahrain International Circuit for pre-season F1 testing amid an investigation into alleged ‘inappropriate conduct’ against him.
The investigation was started earlier this month following a complaint from a female employee at Red Bull. Horner completely denies the claims and seems to want to go about his business as usual.
He was photographed in Bahrain on Wednesday morning with Red Bull’s technical director Adrian Newey, as the pair prepared to test their team’s new car before the 2024 season starts next week.
He was later seen speaking to Red Bull’s three-time world champion Max Verstappen, with the pair seemingly in good spirits as they smiled as they chatted.
Thoughts soon turned to testing, with Horner watching intently as Wednesday’s opening session began.
Red Bull chief Christian Horner has arrived in Bahrain ahead of pre-season testing
Horner was seen on Wednesday with Red Bull colleague Adrian Newey (left).
Horner was seen smiling with Max Verstappen as they chatted before testing
Horner has said his wife, Geri Halliwell (right), is ‘fully behind him’ since the allegations were made against him
Horner also attended a secret filming day at Silverstone last Tuesday, returning to the same circuit two days later for the launch of Red Bull’s new car.
During his speech, he revealed that his wife, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, had been “very supportive” since the allegations were made against him.
Halliwell is ‘devastated’ by the allegations but stands by Horner. She unfollowed all the Beckhams this weekend, including her former bandmate Victoria, with the scandal involving her husband threatening to turn toxic.
A report in the Netherlands last week revealed more details about the allegations against Horner, claiming he was accused of sending “sexually suggestive messages” to a Red Bull employee.
Red Bull’s future engine supplier Ford responded to the new claims by warning Horner that they expect ‘very high standards of conduct and integrity’ from their employees.
Horner remains adamant he has not engaged in any wrongdoing and has insisted he wants to focus on the season ahead.
Horner appeared fully focused as he watched Wednesday’s opening test session begin
It was hoped that the investigation would be completed before the start of the season, but time is running out to make this happen.
For now, Horner has his sights set on keeping Red Bull at the front of the grid after a dominant season in 2023.
Red Bull won 21 of 22 races last year as Verstappen stormed to his third world title in a row.
The Dutchman and his teammate Sergio Perez will try to set a milestone in pre-season testing in the coming days, with Horner watching from the Red Bull garage.