Christian Horner says he was “entirely confident” that he would remain at the helm of Red Bull’s Formula 1 team after being cleared of alleged inappropriate behaviour.
After accusations from a female employee, Horner had been the subject of an investigation from the Red Bull parent company that stretched across several weeks.
Ahead of the opening grand prix of the season in Bahrain, Horner was exonerated of the claims made against him from the findings compiled by an external barrister.
Following Red Bull beginning its title defence with a crushing 1-2 finish in Bahrain, Horner admitted that he was glad that the spotlight could return to racing matters.
“Obviously it’s not been pleasant,” Horner said. “The unwanted attention, but the focus is now very much on the cars.
“My focus has very much been on what’s going on track and the result today I think demonstrates where the whole team’s focus is and we move onwards.”
Horner refused to comment further on the outcome of the investigation, insisting that he has full support from both Red Bull and his wife Geri, who was also in Bahrain.
“I’m not going to comment on what motives, whatever person may have for doing this,” he asserted. “My focus is on this team, my family, my wife and going racing.
“I have the support of an incredible family, of an incredible wife, of an incredible team and everybody within that team and my focus is on going racing and winning races and doing the best that I can.
He added: “It was a day about going racing, about the start of the season and about starting the season in the best possible way.
“The drivers did brilliantly, the team did brilliantly and yeah it was the best possible start for the team, for our partners, for our shareholders and everybody within the group.”
Horner clarified that he had “always been entirely confident” he would remain in charge of Red Bull, adding: “My focus is on the season ahead and the races we have ahead.”
Amid meetings with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, Horner declined to comment on whether the case had brought the sport into disrepute.
“I can’t comment on what people are choosing to write,” he added.
“My focus is on the team, my family, and the people around me. And I have their full support, their full backing, and for me, it’s about looking ahead and moving forward.
“There was a full, lengthy internal process that was completed by an independent KC. And the grievance that was raised was dismissed. End of. Move on.”
