Christian Horner: Red Bull team boss to attend F1 car launch amid investigation

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner will make his first public appearance on Thursday since a complaint of inappropriate behaviour was made against him.

The 50-year-old is under investigation by Red Bull, but is expected to be at the launch of the team’s new F1 car.

He was interviewed by an independent lawyer on Friday over claims about his behaviour towards a female employee.

Horner, who has led the team since 2005, has denied the allegations.

It is not known whether Horner will address the claims against him directly in interviews at the launch of the RB20 car, at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes factory.

But his presence will overshadow the event. He is unlikely to be able to comment specifically on the allegations, but they will inevitably be a focus of attention in enquiries towards him and drivers Max Verstappen and his team-mate Sergio Perez.

Red Bull’s parent company has said it takes the allegations against Horner “extremely seriously” and added it “would not be appropriate to comment before the investigation is completed”.

Friday’s hearing finished without resolution.

Horner has denied the allegations in a comment to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

The investigation into Horner could take weeks, and there are even questions as to whether it will be complete in time for the start of the season.

Pre-season testing takes place in Bahrain from 21-23 February. The first race of the season, also in Bahrain, is on 1-3 March.

Red Bull’s new car has already run behind closed doors in a test at Silverstone.

The RB20 is the follow-up to last year’s RB19, which with Verstappen achieved the most dominant season in F1 history.