Christian Horner, the team principal, addressed the media for the first time following reports of an internal investigation into allegations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ towards a female staff member.
Horner, during his interaction with the press, vehemently refuted these claims yet affirmed his dedication to seeing the investigative process through to its conclusion.
This process involved his participation in an extensive eight-hour session last Friday, conducted by an independent King’s Counsel.
According to DailyMail, here is the complete transcript of Christian Horner’s interview after the unveiling of Red Bull’s RB20 livery.
What have the last number of days been like? Your name’s been in the limelight, and the news hasn’t been easy to deal with.
My focus is very much on the season ahead. Obviously, it is great to see the car run for the first time at Silverstone.
It was great to see the 20th edition of our Red Bull car unveiled today. Of course the process (of the internal investigation) has been going on in the background.
And obviously, there’s been a day job to be getting on with, which is very much focused on gearing up for the season ahead of us.
Do you feel supported, if you’re in the factory and among everyone in the industry?
I feel the support within the business, within our partners, within the industry – it is overwhelming.
There’s a process that’s ongoing at the moment. Some allegations have been made, which I fully deny and I have fully complied with that process and will continue to do so.
You are in a situation (where) the chief executive might expect to be suspended while the allegations were investigated. Why hasn’t that been the process that has been taken at Red Bull?
I think it’s been very clear. In the position of Red Bull, it has been business as normal, of course.
(Investigating) the allegations is a process that Red Bull are running through, and (then confirming) that process externally, but you know, obviously there’s a job to do and I denied fully the accusations and my role obviously continues.
Has it been a distraction?
Look, I think moments of uncertainty brings us together and I’ve never seen a team more together and supporting than (Red Bull) is.
Everybody’s focused on one thing, which is the performance of that car to go out and defend both the world titles that we’ve worked so hard to achieve over the last couple of years.
So the car is what everybody is invested in and I look forward to seeing it in action in Bahrain next week.
Do you expect to be in your position for that first race?
I am confident in the process, and working with the process, and absolutely deny any of the allegation that has been made.
I just continue to obviously work within that process.
What does the future look like? Do you see yourself still doing this job long term?
I’m absolutely committed to this team. I’ve been here since the beginning. I’ve built this team. There’s been highs and lows along the way.
We have won 113 races. Won seven drivers’ world championships. We’ve won six constructors’ world championships in 19 seasons, and you know, that’s in the history books.
But it’s what lies ahead – because that’s what’s important. So my focus is on the future. It’s on Red Bull Powertrains becoming a startup engine business.
We have an advanced technology business system producing the first ever Red Bull track car and of course, there’s a lot going on the campus.
Is it possible to conduct ‘business as usual’ as you call it, with this going on in the background?
I will continue to do so until the conclusion of the process, the internal process. I can’t tell you what that process consists of, and that’s it.
Have you been driving in every day?
Yes, since January 8. I’ve been back at back in office doing my job.
Could you have backed out?
I have denied the allegations. For me, it is business as normal, if it wasn’t I wouldn’t be here.
How challenging has it been for you?
I don’t want to talk about the process, so my focus and commitment is (being) put into the team and making sure that we’re in the best shape possible for the season ahead.
I think you can see we’ve got a car that looks a great evolution from last year and perhaps some very competitive rivals that are looking to beat us.
So my focus is very much on Bahrain next week.
Has (focusing on the start of the season) been helpful?
That’s why we are here. It’s a big team. It’s one of the biggest sporting teams in the world and it has always been one of our strengths – the way we work. We’ve had tremendous stability. We’ve had a very low turnover of staff.
We’ve had huge continuity over the years. People work here because they love working here. They enjoy working here and they share a passion, and they share in that passion for going racing, and racing against some such fierce competitors.
Do you feel you’ve got the support from senior Red Bull figures?
The support from the shareholders I’ve had – it’s been been fantastic. I think the support from shareholders following the death of Dietrich Mateschitz, you can see the commitment that there is in Formula One – from Red Bull Powertrains to Red Bull Advanced Technologies.
We’re one team and that support has been has been very clear.
How concerned are you about the damage this could do to Red Bull and Formula One?
Well, I think I am not going comment on that because there’s obviously a process that has to go through. I will only speak about it at the end of that process.
Is there any indication when that might be?
It has to run its course, but I don’t know.
I am fully committed to this team. I built this team, I convinced people to come here and work here. I enjoy working with the team.
The people are the biggest asset of this team, it is the people. That continues to be the case.
Will you be in Bahrain?
Yes.
At any point in the last 20 years, have you not envisaged being at the team?
No. My commitment has always been absolutely to this team. I think you’ve seen that in the good days and bad days. The commitment is always has always been to this team.
It’s very personal to me because I’ve invested so much personally.
Maybe I am being naive, but, whatever has gone on at Red Bull, I don’t really care. For me F1 itself is what matters, and for me Christian has done a great job in putting together a well organised and successful team. Christian will know, if he has stepped out of line, he will pay the price, as these days F1 is as much run by politics, accountants, lawyers and money, as is any sport. To hell with all the speculation and gossip!