Purple Bull group principal Christian Horner is ready for a particular listening to this Friday relating to unspecified allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” made towards him by a feminine worker of Purple Bull Racing.
The listening to is a part of an unbiased investigation ordered by the group’s mother or father firm Purple Bull in Austria after it was made conscious of the allegations.
“This course of, which is already underneath manner, is being carried out by an exterior specialist barrister,” the corporate mentioned in a press release launched on Monday.
“The corporate takes these issues extraordinarily significantly and the investigation will probably be accomplished as quickly as virtually potential. It will not be applicable to remark additional presently.”
Horner, who steadfastly maintains his innocence and who was current at Monday’s F1 Fee assembly, will meet with authorized representatives on Friday.
Whereas Purple Bull Racing, the group, stays silent on the state of affairs, Horner has denied any unsuitable doing. “I fully deny these claims,” he instructed Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
The event arrives at a important juncture for the group, because it finalizes its preparations for the upcoming 2024 F1 season.
The launch of the Milton Keynes-based outfit’s new RB20 automobile is ready for February fifteenth, simply days earlier than pre-season testing begins in Bahrain.
Coming off a dominant 2023 season with 21 victories and each championships secured, Purple Bull appears to copy its success underneath Horner’s management.
Because the longest-serving group principal in F1, the Briton obtained a CBE within the New 12 months’s Honours listing for his contributions to motorsport.
Nonetheless, the shadow of the continued investigation now hangs over each Horner and the group.
As they put together for the brand new season, it stays to be seen how these allegations will impression, not solely Horner’s standing, but in addition their efficiency and public picture.
