Christian Horner goes quiet: Geri Halliwell’s husband refuses to answer questions on Red Bull ‘inappropriate behaviour’ probe as he speaks at F1 Bahrain testing, a week after bullishly insisting he won’t be forced out

Christian Horner declined to comment on the investigation into his own alleged ‘inappropriate behaviour’, but says he hopes a resolution will be reached as soon as possible.

Horner executed his Red Bull team boss in Bahrain as usual on Thursday, amid the investigation launched earlier this month following a complaint from a female employee. Horner denies the claims ‘completely’.

At the press conference during F1 testing, Horner said he could not talk about the ongoing investigation because he was ‘part of it’, but said the ‘process was ongoing’.

Horner, who was reluctant to elaborate further, ended by saying he hoped a solution would be found as soon as possible.

The 50-year-old said: ‘There is a process underway and as I am part of it I cannot comment on it. We hope that a solution will be found as soon as possible.’

At the press conference in Bahrain on Thursday, Horner said he could not talk about the ongoing investigation because he was “part of it” but said the “process was ongoing.”

Horner (right) emphatically denies the claims and his wife Geri Horner (left), formerly Halliwell, stands by him as he fights for his reputation

The allegations against Horner have overshadowed the run-up to the 2024 F1 season. That season got off to an inauspicious start today when the morning session was abandoned after Lewis Hamilton crashed into a manhole cover.

Horner emphatically denies the claims and his wife Geri Horner, formerly Halliwell, is standing by him as he fights for his reputation.

Mail Sport understands a decision on the investigation could be made by the end of the week.

Pressure is mounting from a number of stakeholders within the sport – including Red Bull’s new engine supplier Ford – to demand a quicker resolution than previously predicted.

The allegations against Horner have made headlines ahead of the 2024 F1 season, but Wednesday’s test event focused people’s attention back on the action.

During the test event, reigning champion Max Verstappen ruled the circuit, but his teammate Sergio Perez’s start in the morning was less impressive.

Perez has endured a tough first hour of testing after a problem with the brakes on his RB20, due to an overheating problem.

The Mexican was forced to return to the garage where mechanics were seen working on the right front of his car.

“To me the car looks quite heavy, just like yesterday morning,” the Sky Sports F1 commentary team said on Thursday morning.

‘There were moments yesterday when we thought: ‘Max is really having trouble with that!’

“If Max has difficulty with it, Sergio will of course also find it difficult, especially if it is the rear of the car.”

Perez eventually returned to action and tried to put the setback behind him, but was still far off the pace of Charles Leclerc, who was in action for the second day in a row.

Paddock rival Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team boss, was quick to take aim at Horner, insisting the off-track allegations were a problem for F1 as a whole.

Serio Perez (photo left) took to the track for the first time after sitting out the first day

The 50-year-old was also present at Red Bull’s car launch despite the allegations

“It is clear: Formula 1 and the teams stand for inclusivity, equality, fairness and diversity,” said Wolff. ‘That means not just talking about it, but living with it day in, day out. These are the standards we set for ourselves.

‘We are a global sport and one of the most important sports platforms in the world with role models.

“That said, there has been a lot of speculation in recent weeks. What is important and that stage is that a process must be completed. It has to be done the right way, with transparency.

‘We want to talk about racing cars and the sport rather than these very critical topics. It’s more than just a team issue; it is a phenomenon and a problem for the entire Formula 1 and every individual who works there.’