Christian Horner has reiterated that he hopes to remain as team leader at Red Bull. The 50-year-old insists that he has retained the complete backing of his team and his family despite the continuing furor after his exoneration from charges of inappropriate behaviour made by a female colleague and the publication of communications claiming to be between Horner and the complainant.

The problem has overshadowed the opening race week of the season, even as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen swept to a crushing victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix by an immense margin. Horner is regarded as still trying to save his career and after the race, facing the media for the first time formally this week, he was bold in claiming he would not be driven out of the role he has held for more than 19 years since the team was created in 2005 Verstappen eases to victory for struggling Red Bull at opening Bahrain Grand Prix

When asked if he was confident he would be in place for the rest of the season, he was unequivocal. “Absolutely,” he said without hesitation, adding that he always felt the investigation into the claims, which on Wednesday issued its judgment that the grievance had been dismissed, would find in his favour.

“I’ve always been entirely confident that I would be here,” he remarked. “My focus is on the season ahead and the races we have ahead.”

Horner once again flatly declined to comment on the email that revealed the conversations, the validity of which has yet to be established, once again declaring he would not comment on “anonymous, speculative messages from an unknown source.”.

The publication of the email to senior individuals and reporters throughout F1 is seen as a ploy to destabilise Horner in what may be an internal power struggle within Red Bull Racing and the parent business, Red Bull GmbH. Horner would not address the rationale behind the email but stated that since it was published, he has retained the backing of his team and family, with his wife, Geri Halliwell-Horner, accompanying him at the track for the race.

“Obviously, it’s not been pleasant. The unwanted attention,” he said. “I’m not going to comment on what motives, whatever, a person may have for doing this. My concentration is on this team, my family, my wife, and going racing. I have the support of a wonderful family, an incredible wife, an incredible team, and everybody inside that team, and my concentration is on going racing, winning races, and doing the best that I can.”

Horner welcomed Verstappen’s triumph by 22 seconds from his teammate Sergio Pérez, a significant gap, while trying to play down its significance, but stated his priority going forward would be delivering on track with 23 more races ahead this season. “You can see what it meant to the whole team; it’s better to do your talking on track,” he remarked. “The focus is now very much on the cars. My attention has very much been on what’s going on, and the result today, I think, reflects where the whole team’s focus is, and we continue onwards.”