Ford Awaiting Red Bull Investigation Into Horner But Stresses High Moral Values Company Holds

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.: Red Bull future engine provider Ford Motor Co. stated Friday it’s awaiting the outcomes of an investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct by staff principal Christian Horner, however a prime govt careworn that Ford holds its firm and companions to very excessive ethical requirements.

Ford is slated to grow to be Red Bull’s engine provider in 2026 and is the primary of Red Bull’s current companions to touch upon the controversy surrounding Horner. The staff chief has remained defiant in his denial of claims of misconduct made to guardian firm Red Bull, which two weeks in the past introduced it had launched an unbiased investigation into the claims.

Mark Rushbrook, world head of Ford Performance Motorsport, stated Friday at Daytona International Speedway that Ford is awaiting the end result of the investigation into Horner.

“As a family company, and a company that holds itself to very high standards of behavior and integrity, we do expect the same from our partners,” Rushbrook stated. “It appears to us, and what we’ve been told, was that Red Bull is taking the situation very seriously. And of course, they’re worried about their brand, as well.

“And that’s why they’ve got an independent investigation and until we see what truth comes out of that, it’s too early for us to comment on it all.”

Horner someday earlier insisted it was “business as normal” as he took middle stage on the launch of the staff’s automobile for the upcoming Formula 1 season.

“Obviously, there’s a process that’s ongoing at the moment. Some allegations have been made which I fully deny and I comply, obviously, with that process and will continue to do so,” Horner stated. “I think it’s been very clear and the position of Red Bull has been that it’s business as normal. Obviously there’s a job to do and I deny fully the accusations that have been made. My role obviously continues.”

What Horner has been accused of doing by a Red Bull worker has not been made clear. The investigation was launched by guardian firm Red Bull Energy out of Austria and initially appeared to contain Horner’s “aggressive management style.”

But within the two weeks since, the F1 trade has been rife with gossip, hypothesis and, as of Friday, information reviews indicating Horner’s supposed transgressions contain allegations of sexual misconduct. And, with a lot of the unsubstantiated claims being made to Dutch media retailers, there’s loud chatter that each three-time reigning world champion Max Verstappen and his father, Jos, are behind the leaks.

Max Verstappen, who races below the Dutch flag, on the launch on Thursday stated his relationship with Horner stays “very good” forward of the brand new season.

“We’ve seen each other quite a few times. We’ve achieved a lot of things together so that doesn’t change suddenly,” he stated. “My contact with Christian has been the same as on the first day. It’s been like normal.”

The 50-year-old Horner has been Red Bull’s staff principal because it entered F1 as a full constructor in 2005. He has guided the staff to 6 constructors’ championships and 7 drivers’ championships throughout his time on the prime. Verstappen has gained the drivers’ title in every of the final three seasons. The staff gained all however one of many 22 races final 12 months.

Horner is married since 2015 to Geri Halliwell, higher often known as Ginger Spice of the feminine pop group The Spice Girls.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)