Breaking news: Christian Horner is under investigation for his timeline of events at Red Bull following an examination into the F1 team principal.

Red Bull GmbH, the parent corporation of the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team, based in Austria, says that Christian Horner is under investigation. In a statement, Red Bull GmbH states: “After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the firm began an independent inquiry.

“This process, which is already under way, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister. The organization takes these complaints extremely seriously, and the investigation will be finished as soon as reasonably practicable. It would not be proper to discuss further at this time.”

The allegations against Horner are said to relate to a claim of inappropriate behaviour made by a female coworker. Horner, who maintains in his dual job of team principal and CEO, says he “completely denies” the charges made against him.

In his first interview with the external specialized barrister carrying out the inquiry for Red Bull, Horner is questioned in a London meeting that is thought to have lasted more than eight hours. No resolution was achieved on the topic in that first interview.

With the investigation into him ongoing, Horner confronts the media for the first time since the incident became public at the launch of Red Bull’s 2024 F1 car at an event at their Milton Keynes base.

Appearing front and centre of the team’s presentation in a launch that also featured Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, and Adrian Newey, Horner thereafter does numerous rounds of interviews with attending TV and written media and is heavily questioned about the inquiry.

Horner officially denies the charges and, while he states that he cannot comment on the facts of the case, says he is participating completely with the inquiry process. He adds that it is “business as usual” at the team ahead of the 2017 season and, speaking to Sky Sports News, also disputes allegations of internal rifts with either Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s racing advisor, or the Verstappens, world champion Max and his father Jos.

Formula 1 releases its heretofore solitary statement on the Horner situation. “We have noted that Red Bull has instigated an independent investigation into internal allegations at Red Bull Racing,” continues the statement. “We hope that the matter will be clarified at the earliest opportunity, after a fair and thorough process, and we will not comment further at this time.”

The FIA, motorsport’s world governing body, issues its own formal statement two days later, in which it says: “In relation to the independent investigation currently being undertaken by Red Bull GmbH, the FIA reiterates that until such time as the investigation has concluded and the outcome is known, we will not be commenting further.

“The FIA remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and inclusivity within the sport.” The Red Bull team chief comes on the opening day of pre-season testing in Bahrain to oversee the world champion team’s start to the 2019 campaign.

Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, is also in attendance at the test, and at the year’s first F1 team bosses’ press conference, he begs for “transparency” on the probe and its eventual outcome from Red Bull. Wolff described the subject as “an issue for all of Formula 1”. On the second day of testing, Horner faces questions from the media again as he appears in his first formal F1 press conference of the year.

In contrast to the more expansive responses he provided at Red Bull’s car launch the week before, he responded to the two queries he faced pertaining to the investigation by claiming he “really can’t comment on the process”. He does nonetheless underline that everyone is keen for a conclusion into the situation “as soon as possible”.

Sky Sports News says that a conclusion from Red Bull’s probe is likely to arrive before the start of the season-opening Bahrain GP later that week. Horner heads back to the UK from Bahrain in the brief gap between the end of testing and the first day of the inaugural race weekend at the same track.

The opening media of F1’s 2024 season closes with the announcement at roughly 6.30pm local time in Bahrain that Horner will remain in his post at Red Bull after the claims of inappropriate behaviour lodged against him were dropped. A Red Bull GmbH statement reads: “The independent inquiry into the claims made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can certify that the grievance has been dismissed.

“The complainant has a right of appeal. Red Bull is sure that the inquiry has been fair, rigorous and objective. “The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties that cooperated in the inquiry, and so we will not be commenting more out of respect for all concerned. Red Bull will continue aiming to satisfy the highest workplace standards.”

Speaking to Sky Sports News in the Bahrain paddock the morning after the grievance was dismissed, Horner says: “I’m just pleased that the process is over. “Obviously, I can’t speak about it, but we are here very much to focus now on the Grand Prix and the season ahead and trying to defend both of our titles.” He also says “within the team it has never been stronger” when asked about unity inside the F1 group.

Mercedes’ Wolff and McLaren’s Zak Brown continue their calls for greater transparency during the day’s FIA press conference. Later that day during the evening’s second practice session material purporting to be the supposed evidence in the probe is leaked to many media outlets and F1 team principals from an unknown email account.

In a personal statement from Horner published in response, the Red Bull team principal says: “I won’t comment on anonymous speculation but to reiterate, I have always denied the allegations.” F1 president Stefano Domenicali and his FIA counterpart Mohammed Ben Sulayem meet in Bahrain to discuss the probe. Horner also speaks to the duo individually and is spotted in discussion with Ben Sulayem in the pit lane during the last practice session.

Horner is joined at the racecourse by his wife Geri ahead of the race. Red Bull’s 51 per cent majority Thai owner Chalerm Yoovidhya is also present and pictured with the two in parc ferme after Verstappen comfortably won the season-opening event.

Having overseen the team’s dominant start to the new season on the track with a one-two finish, Horner then undertakes his normal media operations after the race. He claims he “absolutely” expects to still be in control for the next week’s Saudi Arabian GP, and beyond.

“Obviously it’s not been pleasant, the unwanted attention,” he subsequently remarks to written journalists. “But the attention is now very much on the automobiles. My attention has very much been on what’s going on on-track and the outcome today I think indicates where the whole team’s focus is and we move onwards.”

In hard-hitting comments from Jos Verstappen released after the race, Max’s father warns the Daily Mail that “the team is in danger of being torn apart” if Horner remains in his post. “There is tension here while he remains in position,” Verstappen Snr stated. “The squad is in risk of being ripped apart. It can’t go on the way it is. It will burst.”

In hard-hitting comments from Jos Verstappen released after the race, Max’s father warns the Daily Mail that “the team is in danger of being torn apart” if Horner remains in his post. “There is tension here while he remains in position,” Verstappen Snr stated. “The squad is in risk of being ripped apart. It can’t go on the way it is. It will burst.”

Horner has a face-to-face meeting with Max Verstappen’s representative in Dubai in an effort to iron out mounting tensions. Yoovidhya is also thought to be present. It is stated by the PA news agency that Horner’s complainant has been suspended following Red Bull’s probe into the team principal. Sky Sports News understands the complainant has been suspended on full pay. Comment is sought from representatives of the complaint.

The complainant retains the ability to challenge the dismissal of the grievance. Hours after word emerges of the suspension, Horner appears in the FIA press conference on the opening day of the Saudi Arabian GP and says: “I can’t comment on anything that’s confidential between the employee and the company.”

And in the wake of Jos Verstappen’s comments the week before, Horner says: “I think it’s in everybody’s interest, collectively, that we’ve agreed to move on, to focus on the future.” He also adds he is “certain” that Max will stay with the team.

With focus increasing on the relationships between the key players inside F1’s world champion team, veteran advisor Marko suggests to Austrian TV that he could either face suspension, or leave of his own accord, amid media reports at the race that the 80-year-old was under investigation in connection with information leaks around the Horner probe.

The Red Bull advisor also says he will meeting Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s CEO who supervises the company’s sports projects, on Saturday. Max Verstappen soon reinforces his allegiance to Marko, who brought him in to F1 as a 17-year-old on Red Bull’s junior programme, by stating the Austrian “has to stay” in his post.

Asked explicitly by Sky Sports F1’s Rachel Brookes if Marko needed to stay for him to also stay, Verstappen answered: “I’ve always said that to the team, they know that.” Marko comes on the paddock on race day with Mintzlaff and promises reporters he will not be punished or leave the team. Mintzlaff, meanwhile, adds “of course” when asked if he anticipated both Marko and Verstappen to stay

In the Jeddah race, Verstappen scores a second successive commanding race win, with Perez once more second, to continue Red Bull’s 100 per cent start to the season on track.

After the race, Horner responds to the latest harsh comments from Jos Verstappen – who is competing in the Hannut Rally in Belgium and not in attendance in Jeddah – in the media before underlining that everyone at Red Bull is focused on continuing to win on track. He adds: “Max is part of the team, Helmut is part of the team, I lead this team and everybody has a key role to play in it, and that’s it.”

In his media session after the race, Wolff admits he “would love” to have Verstappen in his team for 2025 as a replacement for the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton at the end of the year In response, while Horner says he could not see why Verstappen or any driver would want to leave a winning car, does also remark “you can never say never” about the threat of the Dutchman wanting to leave before the conclusion of his contract.

“It’s like anything in life. You can’t force somebody to be somewhere just because of a piece of paper,” remarked Horner. “If somebody didn’t want to be at this team, then we’re not going to force somebody against their will to be here.” Verstappen, who welcomed the earlier news regarding Marko, closes a rocky Jeddah weekend by underlining his wish to see that “everyone keeps the peace” at Red Bull.

The female employee suspended by Red Bull appeals against the decision to clear team leader Christian Horner of controlling behaviour, according to the PA news agency. She lodged a formal appeal with the Formula 1 team’s parent company, GmbH. GmbH, situated in Salzburg in Austria, has so far not responded to Sky Sports News’ request for comment. PA has also approached Red Bull Racing for comment.