Red Bull's stance on cancelling car launch revealed after Christian Horner was grilled for eight hours

Red Bull's stance on cancelling car launch revealed after Christian Horner was grilled for eight hours

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Red Bull chief Christian Horner grilled for eight hours

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 10/02/2024

- 10:46

The 50-year-old denies allegations of inappropriate behaviour

Red Bull are planning for their car launch to go ahead as planned next week despite uncertainty over the future of Christian Horner, according to reports.

Earlier in the week it emerged a woman had complained of 'inappropriate behaviour' from Horner relating to his work.


The 50-year-old denies the allegations and is unwilling to resign as he fights to clear his name.

On Friday, Horner was quizzed for eight long hours by a lawyer in London. By the time the meeting concluded, however, there was still no resolution.

Christian Horner

Red Bull chief Christian Horner was grilled for eight hours on Friday as part of the team's investigation

GETTY

On February 15, Red Bull will launch the RB20 with the start of the new Formula One season now roughly three weeks away.

And the BBC say they have no plans to cancel the event, despite the uncertainty that surrounds Horner at the current moment in time.

Horner left his home in north London just after 7am before being driven to a secret venue in the capital.

He made his case to a KC who Red Bull have trusted to look into the matter.

According to the Daily Mail, the investigation started at 8.45am and lasted for eight hours.

Red Bull would like the situation to be resolved by the time they show off their new car to the world.

Yet some F1 insiders, according to the publication, are unsure if they'll get their wish with the saga expected to rumble on.

"It will take some time," according to one insider.

"It is the first time they have spoken to Christian to get his view on it and they need to ask the woman in question to respond.

"It may take a bit of to-and-fro to get a resolution."

Horner has been in charge of Red Bull Racing ever since his appointment all the way back in 2005.

He helped Sebastian Vettel conquer the sport, with the German winning four F1 titles between 2010 and 2013.

And Horner has played a key role in the rise of Max Verstappen, who has secured the last three crowns ahead of the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and team-mate Sergio Perez.

Those close to Horner think he is a pawn in a wider power struggle at the organisation.

He is still backed by Bernie Ecclestone, who is said to be providing the 50-year-old with support while the investigation goes on.

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Red Bull car

Red Bull don't want to cancel their car launch despite the uncertainty surrounding Christian Horner and his future

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Meanwhile, Adrian Newey is said to be prepared to stay at Red Bull if Horner does depart his role.

And Newey has opened up on the RB20 vehicle, admitting it's a case of evolution instead of revolution as they look to continue their dominance of the sport.

"Our car, it's very much a third evolution of the 22 car," he said.

"Last year's car was an evolution of '22 in its main points being of course, the normal winter development in terms of aerodynamics, some understanding on what we needed to do with suspension to try to improve the car as well, and getting weight out of it, because we never got down to the weight limit in '22.

"This year's car is the third evolution of that original RB18.

Christian Horner

Christian Horner won't quit amid Red Bull's investigation

GETTY

"What we don't know, of course, is the third evolution too conservative, while others have done something different? You just don't know."

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