Christian Horner denies all allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour' towards a female colleague as he 'focuses on the season ahead'

FULL TRANSCRIPT: Christian Horner faces media grilling at Red Bull car launch 

A defiant Christian Horner has insisted he will not be forced out of Red Bull Racing – and is the right person to lead the team into the forthcoming Formula One season.

Horner, 50, strongly denied the ‘inappropriate behaviour’ claim made against him by a female colleague and maintained it is ‘absolutely business as normal’ for the team.

Speaking at Red Bull’s car launch in Milton Keynes, he said his team colleagues are ‘tremendously supportive’ of him, and the shareholders are ‘incredibly supportive’.

Horner added that he had been ‘overwhelmed’ by messages of goodwill from within the sport, and also had the support of his wife, Spice Girls singer Geri Halliwell.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: ‘Firstly I obviously deny the allegations that have been made but I’m going through a process and fully respect that process. So for me it’s business as normal, focused on the season ahead.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner, pictured at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 25 last year

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner (far right) is interviewed by David Coulthard (left) during the RB20 car launch at Red Bull Racing Factory in Milton Keynes yesterday

‘And of course it is a distraction for the team. But the team are very together, they’re very focused on the season ahead and have been tremendously supportive. So looking forward to the season ahead of us.’

Asked whether he should you step down during the investigation, Horner replied: ‘Well no, because I deny anything, any of the allegations that have been made, so for me it’s absolutely business as normal, focusing on the season ahead.’

He was also asked whether he stood by his leadership at Red Bull Racing, and said: ‘Yes, absolutely.’

Horner currently expects to be in Bahrain for the first round of Max Verstappen’s championship defence on March 2

Asked whether he was confident he retains the full backing of all the owners, he said: ‘Yes, I think we are one team. The shareholders have been incredibly supportive of the team, particularly since the sad passing of Dietrich Mateschitz.

‘And you can see just looking around the campus here, the level of investment that has been made. You know, the Powertrains coming in 2026, Red Bull Advanced Technologies, cars that we are designing on the campus here.

‘The team and the group is thriving and enjoying great support from the shareholders.’

Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez with Christian Horner at yesterday’s launch

Red Bull boss Christian Horner and his wife Geri Halliwell at the Monaco Grand Prix last May

Christian Horner and his Geri Halliwell, pictured in London’s Mayfair on November 29, 2013

Horner has been in charge of the F1 team for two decades, but he insisted the investigation has not forced him to ponder resigning.

Asked whether he was sure he was the right person to run the team, he said: ‘Absolutely. I’ve done it for 20 years and have no doubt about that.’

Asked whether he could guarantee that he had never ‘behaved inappropriately towards a colleague’, Horner said: ‘I deny any accusations that have been made against me.’

Finally, asked whether he was ‘innocent’, Horner said: ‘Yeah, as I say.’

During a separate interview yesterday, he also thanked his wife and other people within the support for their backing.

Horner said: ‘I have a hugely supportive family, a very supportive wife. I have felt the support from within the business and our partners, and the support from within the industry has been overwhelming, too.’

Direct questions relating to the internal investigation launched by Red Bull Racing’s parent company Red Bull GmBH – which leaves Horner’s career in the balance – were strictly off-limits.

There had been a strong desire for Horner’s future to be concluded before yesterday’s presentation which marked the 20th anniversary of Red Bull’s involvement as a constructor in the sport.

Horner with Red Bull’s Formula One champion Max Verstappen in Qatar on October 7 last year

The team principal has won six constructors’ championships since starting at Red Bull in 2004

Horner, who was quizzed by a lawyer for eight hours last Friday, said he did not know when the probe will be concluded.

There will be three days of testing, starting next Wednesday, in Bahrain ahead of the first race, also in the Gulf kingdom.

And sources have indicated Horner could face further rounds of questioning as he bids to prove his innocence.

The investigation against Horner has undoubtedly overshadowed the world champions’ preparations for the forthcoming campaign.

Last year, Red Bull won all but one of the 22 races, with Verstappen taking his third world title in as many years.

But the Dutch driver, 26, said: ‘I don’t feel it (the investigation) has been a distraction. Everyone is very focused and very motivated. The spirit in the team has been fantastic. It’s been honestly better than ever.’

Pressed on his relationship with Horner, the triple world champion added: ‘It is very good.

‘We’ve seen each other quite a few times. We’ve achieved a lot of things together so that doesn’t change suddenly. My contact with Christian has been the same as on the first day. It’s been like normal.’