Horner Red Bull investigation could last through ‘first GP’

F1 journalist Craig Slater has provided an update on the ongoing hearing involving Christian Horner, whose alleged 'inappropriate behaviour' has been vehemently denied by the Red Bull team principal.

Horner's initial hearing concluded on Friday before 7pm London time, spanning approximately eight hours. As of the time of writing, no resolution has been reached, and the process is expected to be prolonged.

Despite Horner's assertion of innocence and his desire to clear his name, the timeline of the investigation operates independently of F1 and its imminent season.

This raises concerns that the inquiry may cast a shadow over the team's launch of the 2024 car scheduled for February 15th.

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Timescale not down to F1

"My understanding is this will operate to the timescale which the investigator sets, not to a Formula 1 timescale," Slater told Sky Sports.

“It means there’s every likelihood it could still be ongoing, this process, even as Red Bull are launching their car next Thursday, which is the 15th of February."

"It could even still be ongoing as we enter Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain on the 20th of this month. It may be carry on towards the first Grad Prix of the season on the 2nd of March."

"It's awkward for the team but paramount in all of this is that there is fairness to the parties involved and that’s why they employed this independent investigator in the first place," he added.

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