Christian Horner ‘completely’ expects to stay in cost after claims of inappropriate behaviour | UK Information

Crimson Bull boss Christian Horner has stated he “completely” expects to stay in cost for subsequent week’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The crew principal informed Sky Sports activities F1 that Crimson Bull is a “very robust crew” after reigning world champion Max Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Perez got here first and second in Saturday’s Bahrain Grand Prix – the primary race of the season.

He stated: “We now have received super assist, super companions and nice shareholders behind us as properly.

“You do not obtain this type of consequence by not being united.”

Horner was requested if he expects to nonetheless be in cost in Jeddah after a tumultuous week to which he replied: “Sure, completely. I would not be right here in any other case.”

The 50-year-old watched the rostrum ceremony together with his spouse, former Spice Woman Geri Horner, after a whole lot of WhatsApp messages reported to have been a part of Crimson Bull’s current probe had been leaked.

He was positioned underneath investigation following allegations of inappropriate behaviour in direction of a feminine colleague however has since been cleared.

Horner has at all times denied the claims.

The couple, who married in 2015, walked hand-in-hand and shared a kiss on the Grand Prix however Horner later admitted the previous few days had “not been nice”.

“I’ve the assist of an unbelievable household, an unbelievable spouse, an unbelievable crew and everyone inside that crew,” he stated.

“And my focus goes racing, successful racing and doing the perfect I can.

“It was a day about beginning the season in the absolute best means. My focus is on this crew, my household, my spouse and racing.”

Earlier, Formulation One world champion Max Verstappen steered his boss is “in all probability a little bit bit distracted” following the experiences.

Requested concerning the leaked messages after he took pole place in qualifying on Saturday, Verstappen stated: “It isn’t our enterprise.

“After I have a look at how Christian operates throughout the crew, he has been an unbelievable crew boss, so completely from the efficiency aspect of issues, you may’t even query that.

“So that is what I’m additionally coping with. I communicate to Christian lots, and likewise in fact all through the weekend right here he’s absolutely dedicated to the crew.

“He is additionally right here for the efficiency, in fact in all probability a little bit bit distracted, however like I stated earlier than, we simply give attention to the efficiency issues and that is how all of us work collectively.”

The messages had been leaked to quite a few media organisations and F1 crew principals from an nameless e-mail account, however haven’t been confirmed as real.

Horner subsequently launched a press release, saying: “I will not touch upon nameless hypothesis however to reiterate, I’ve at all times denied the allegations.

“I revered the integrity of the impartial investigation and absolutely co-operated with it each step of the best way.

“It was a radical and truthful investigation carried out by an impartial specialist barrister and it has concluded dismissing the criticism made. I stay absolutely centered on the beginning of the season.”

Forward of this weekend’s race, president of the FIA, Mohammed ben Sulayem stated any criticism lodged with its compliance officer could be investigated nevertheless it had not acquired one regarding Horner’s scenario and wouldn’t “soar the gun”, based on the Monetary Occasions.

“It is damaging the game,” ben Sulayem informed the newspaper. “That is damaging on a human stage.”

Horner had been questioned for eight hours by a lawyer on 9 February.

Crimson Bull confirms grievance dismissed

In a press release, Crimson Bull stated: “The impartial investigation into the allegations made towards Mr Horner is full, and Crimson Bull can affirm that the grievance has been dismissed.

“The complainant has a proper of enchantment. Crimson Bull is assured that the investigation has been truthful, rigorous and neutral.

“The investigation report is confidential and comprises the personal data of the events and third events who assisted within the investigation, and due to this fact we won’t be commenting additional out of respect for all involved.

“Crimson Bull will proceed striving to fulfill the best office requirements.”

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Horner has stated his spouse has been “very supportive” in the course of the course of. He additionally revealed he had been “overwhelmed” by messages of goodwill from throughout the sport.

He has been Crimson Bull crew principal since they entered Formulation One 19 years in the past and is the longest-serving boss on the grid.

Throughout that interval he has overseen the crew win seven drivers’ world championships and 6 constructors’ titles.