Christian Horner opens up on 'difficult' allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour' at Red Bull

Former F1 boss Christian Horner has admitted that it was 'difficult' when he was accused of inappropriate conduct during his time at Red Bull, but that his focus firmly remained on what was happening on the track during that time.

Those Horner allegations surfaced early in 2024, leading to Red Bull GmbH undertaking an independent internal investigation that season. Horner was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing.

That decision was initially challenged by the complainant, but the appeal was then dismissed in August 2024, with Horner in the clear once again.

After that, Horner would continue in his role as Red Bull team principal and CEO for a further 11 months, before his time at the helm of the Milton Keynes-based outfit ended for other reasons in July of the following season.

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Christian Horner opens up on Red Bull allegations

Now, in an interview with The Athletic, Horner has looked back on that time and revealed his emotions and thoughts during that period.

“It was difficult for all involved, but my focus remained on what we were doing on track,” Horner said.

“When I walked into that garage, I was surrounded with people; their focus was on defending that fourth title, and it was something that I just kept looking ahead one step at a time.”

“There’s always going to be speculation," Horner added. "But it obviously was a private matter and remains so."

Will Christian Horner return to F1?

Ever since his Red Bull exit, Horner has consistently been linked with a return to the paddock, and understandably so given the impact he had on the sport. As yet, though, no comeback has happened.

Horner was said to be interested in purchasing Otro Capital's 24 per cent stake in Alpine, for example, but Renault reportedly vetoed his move earlier this year.

The former Red Bull boss has also had his name linked with Ferrari in recent months as the pressure ramped up on current team principal Fred Vasseur, but this was largely of his own doing after he suggested he would be willing to return as their team principal without an ownership stake - something he wants if he is to return elsewhere.

In the meantime, Horner has been keeping himself busy by writing his memoir, Drive, which told the inside story at Red Bull during his time in charge and was released last month.

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