Christian Horner breaks his silence on being cleared of 'coercive behaviour towards female employee' at Red Bull as he prepares for Bahrain Grand Prix, where 'relieved and elated' wife Geri Halliwell could join him
- Christian Horner was cleared of misconduct by Red Bull Racing on Wednesday
- The 50-year-old was accused of 'coercive behaviour towards female employee'
- His wife, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, supported him throughout the probe
Christian Horner has broken his silence after being cleared on misconduct by Red Bull Racing on Wednesday, insisting the team has 'never been stronger' ahead of Saturday's Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Red Bull principal, husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, will remain in his £8million per year job ahead of Saturday's curtain raiser in Bahrain, after the Formula One team confirmed that their internal investigation into allegations against Horner had been dismissed.
Red Bull launched their probe into Horner, 50, on February 5 after he was accused of 'coercive behaviour towards a female employee'.
Horner told Sky Sports on Thursday morning: 'I'm just pleased that the process is over, I can't comment about it.
'The focus is very much now on the Grand Prix and the season ahead and to defend both of our titles.'
![Christian Horner has broken his silence after being cleared on misconduct by Red Bull Racing](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/29/09/81862709-13140165-image-a-18_1709200119862.jpg)
Christian Horner has broken his silence after being cleared on misconduct by Red Bull Racing
![He urged that his Red Bull team have 'never been stronger' ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/29/09/81863403-13140165-image-a-30_1709200548177.jpg)
He urged that his Red Bull team have 'never been stronger' ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix
![Horner, husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was accused of 'coercive behaviour towards female employee', with Red Bull launching their investigation on February 5](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/29/09/81486237-13140165-Red_Bull_s_Christian_Horner_has_been_cleared_of_misconduct_pictu-a-31_1709200638431.jpg)
Horner, husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was accused of 'coercive behaviour towards female employee', with Red Bull launching their investigation on February 5
When asked if he felt this was the end of the matter, the Red Bull chief replied: 'I can't give you any further comment but the process has been conducted and concluded. I'm pleased to be here in Bahrain and look on to the season ahead.
'The unity in the team has never been stronger.'
As Horner touched down in the Gulf Kingdom on Wednesday, he was greeted by news that the investigation had been concluded, with Red Bull GmbH in Salzburg - the world champion team's parent company - saying in a statement: 'The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed.
'The complainant has a right of appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.
'The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and, therefore, we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned. Red Bull will continue striving to meet the highest workplace standards.'
The exact nature of the complaints remain unknown.
Horner was questioned by a KC for a full day at a secret location last month as the barrister gathered evidence that he wrote up in 150 pages for the Red Bull board's determination over the last few days.
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen was quizzed ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix over whether Red Bull's probe into Horner had impacted or altered the team's preparations for the season.
![Former popstar Geri (left) had been devastated by the jolt to their lives caused by the claims](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/29/09/81825865-13140165-Former_Spice_Girl_Geri_left_had_been_devastated_by_the_jolt_to_t-a-32_1709200706471.jpg)
Former popstar Geri (left) had been devastated by the jolt to their lives caused by the claims
![Max Verstappen urged that he and Red Bull had not altered their preparations during the probe](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/29/10/81864307-13140165-image-a-36_1709201632301.jpg)
Max Verstappen urged that he and Red Bull had not altered their preparations during the probe
![Horner embraces three-time champion Verstappen in Bahrain ahead of the 2024 curtain raiser](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/29/10/81864265-13140165-image-a-35_1709201569756.jpg)
Horner embraces three-time champion Verstappen in Bahrain ahead of the 2024 curtain raiser
The Dutchman, insisting that his focus has not been altered, replied: 'It doesn't. I'm very focused on just the performance of the car and myself.
'Hopefully it will be resolved very soon. It's a whole team effort that everyone has to stick together and work to more success, so that's why it's important to get everything resolved very soon.
'(Horner) is very important otherwise he wouldn't have been in that position for such a long time.'
Former popstar Geri, mother of their seven-year-old son Monty, stood resolutely by Horner throughout the ordeal. She is said to be 'devastated' by the jolt the investigation has had on their lives.
It is understood she could join him in Bahrain to watch the start of the 2024 Formula One campaign.
Horner was also present at Red Bull's new car launch on February 15 and spoke for the first team since allegations came to light, claiming Geri had been 'very supportive' before insisting he would be present at the Bahrain curtain-raiser.
'I have a very supportive family and a very supportive wife,' he said.
'My focus has been on the job and the season ahead.
'There's been a day job to be getting on with. I feel the support within the business and our partners, and 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 until it's dealt with.
'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.
![Horner refused to comment on any details of the probe but admitted he is 'pleased' it is over](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/29/10/81864131-13140165-image-a-34_1709201381689.jpg)
Horner refused to comment on any details of the probe but admitted he is 'pleased' it is over
![The 50-year-old principal also attended the Red Bull car launch in Milton Keynes despite the allegations, ahead of flying out to Bahrain for the 2024 season curtain raiser on Wednesday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/29/09/81485801-13140165-The_50_year_old_also_attended_the_Red_Bull_car_launch_in_Milton_-a-33_1709200749307.jpg)
The 50-year-old principal also attended the Red Bull car launch in Milton Keynes despite the allegations, ahead of flying out to Bahrain for the 2024 season curtain raiser on Wednesday
'So the car is what everybody is invested in and I look forward to seeing it in action in Bahrain next week.'
Horner has won 13 world championships since heading the team as a 31-year-old in 2005. He was then the youngest team principal on the grid, yet is now its longest-serving.