Horner allegations hanging over the sport – Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton says the investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour against Christian Horner is “a really important moment” for F1.

The outcome of Red Bull’s internal investigation into team principal Horner is expected imminently on the eve of the new season in Bahrain.

Allegations of inappropriate and controlling behaviour towards a female colleague were made against Horner.

The 50-year-old has always denied the allegations.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton said: “It does need to be resolved as it’s hanging over the sport.

“It will be really interesting to see how it’s dealt with and the effect it may well have on the sport.”

Red Bull’s investigation has been handled by an external lawyer who has compiled a report to be analysed by the company’s board.

Horner was interviewed three weeks ago. He has since appeared in public in news conferences at the Red Bull car launch and pre-season testing.

In an interview with the BBC on 15 February, Horner again denied the allegations and said they were “a distraction” for his team.

Mercedes driver Hamilton, speaking in a news conference before the opening race of the season in Bahrain on Saturday, added: “It is a really important moment for the sport to make sure we stand true to our values.

“We always have to do more to try to make the sport and the environment people work in feel safe and inclusive. Any allegations have to be taken very seriously.”

Red Bull’s three-time world champion Max Verstappen was asked whether he was 100% behind Horner.

The Dutchman replied: “I am trusting the process that is happening right now. Besides that, when you talk about performance, it is important everyone stays together.”

Asked what he knew about the process and again whether he still had full confidence in Horner, Verstappen said: “I do not want to get into that. It is not my case and I don’t want to be involved.

“We have to trust the patience and trust the process. There is no point screaming about it.”

Other drivers alongside Hamilton in the official news conference – Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris and Alex Albon – declined to address the topic.

McLaren Racing chief executive officer Zak Brown told BBC 5 live Breakfast on Wednesday: “It’s very unsettling. It’s very concerning. The allegations are extremely serious.

“All the men and women at McLaren are held to the highest standards of moral. There’s values that are at our heart, and everyone in F1 themselves.

“As [commercial rights holder] Formula 1 and [governing body] the FIA have rightfully said, they want to see this investigation come to a swift and very transparent conclusion, where whenever that conclusion is, the right actions are taken.”

Hamilton’s Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said last week that the Horner investigation was “an issue for all of F1”, adding: “If it is done in the right way with transparency and rigour, we need to look at the outcomes and what it means for F1 and how we can learn from that.

“We want to talk about sport rather than these kind of very, very critical topics.”

Brown pointed out that US car giant Ford, which will partner with Red Bull in F1 on an engine project from 2026, had expressed its displeasure at the way Red Bull was handling the process.

“Ford has recently said they’re very frustrated with the pace,” Brown said. “It does seem like things should be coming to an end here quickly because we really need to be talking about F1, as we go into the start of the year.”

Brown was referring to a letter Ford CEO Jim Farley had sent to Red Bull which was leaked to the Associated Press news agency.

Farley wrote that Ford was “increasingly frustrated by the lack of resolution or clear indication from you about when you anticipate a fair and just resolution of this matter”.

“We are likewise frustrated by the lack of full transparency surrounding this matter with us, your corporate partners, and look forward to receiving a complete account of all findings,” he added.