by fnnewz
Lewis Hamilton says the outcome of an investigation into Red Bull team principal Christian Horner’s alleged inappropriate behavior is “a really important moment” for Formula 1.
Horner was placed under investigation by the F1 team’s Austrian parent company, Red Bull GmbH, following an allegation of inappropriate behavior against him by a female colleague.
It is understood that the external investigation, which was carried out by a specialist lawyer, has now concluded and a decision on Horner’s future is expected before Thursday’s first free practice at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Horner has denied the allegations throughout and is understood to travel to Bahrain on Wednesday in preparation to lead the team’s defense of the constructors’ title.
“I think it’s a difficult question to answer, naturally,” seven-time world champion Hamilton said at the drivers’ press conference in Bahrain on Wednesday.
“We always need to do more to try to make sport and the environment people work in feel safe and inclusive and any allegations should be taken very seriously.
“Obviously we don’t know everything that has happened, but it needs to be resolved as it looms over the sport. “It will be really interesting to see how the progression is addressed and the effect it may or may not have on the sport moving forward.
“I think it’s a really important time for the sport to make sure we stay true to our values.”
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The extensive report, believed to be more than 100 pages long, is in the hands of Red Bull GmbH’s board of directors, who will ultimately decide whether Horner remains in his dual role as team principal and chief executive.
It was understood and reported on Monday that a decision was expected to be made and communicated on Tuesday or Wednesday.
At lunchtime on Tuesday, it emerged that there would be no resolution on the first of the expected two days.
Verstappen: Horner investigation does not affect me
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen says the investigation into Horner is not affecting his preparations for the 2024 Formula 1 season.
When asked if the situation was affecting him, the Red Bull driver said: “No. I am very focused just on the performance of the car and myself. I hope it is resolved very soon.”
“It’s a team-wide effort where everyone needs to stick together and work toward more success, so it’s important to get everything resolved very soon.”
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Later, when asked to clarify his comments, the Dutchman added: “When you talk about performance, it is of course very important that everyone stays together.”
Verstappen was repeatedly asked for his opinion on the investigation during the drivers’ press conference, but asked for patience and to avoid public statements about the situation.
“I don’t want to get into that because it’s not my case anyway and I don’t want to get involved in that,” he said.
“But as a team we trust that process and we just have to be patient, because there’s no need to start saying things, start shouting things out loud. You have to be patient, I think I’ve learned that over the years. “
Horner is F1’s longest-serving team principal, having led Red Bull since they entered the sport in 2005 and overseeing six constructors’ and seven drivers’ titles, the last three of which they came in successive seasons for Verstappen. .
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Despite turning down the opportunity to back Horner to remain with the team, Verstappen said the 50-year-old is “very important” to Red Bull’s success.
“I think it’s very important, otherwise I wouldn’t be in that position for so long,” Verstappen said.
“Let’s say that if your team leader disappears for any reason during one or two races, not much will happen because everyone is in their role and knows what they have to do in the short term.
“But it’s all about managing people over time. And then, of course, things will start to be different if one of the leaders starts not being there.”
“But we’re not thinking like that. Like I said before, we’re just trusting the process we’re in as a team to see what the result will be and on top of that, right now, everyone is very focused on the performance here on the track and “Everyone is in good spirits and excited to get back to it.”
