Red Bull team principal Christian Horner will be in Bahrain for Formula One’s first day of testing on Wednesday.
The 50-year-old is fighting to save his career in the sport following an allegation of “inappropriate behaviour” by a female colleague. Horner categorically denies the claims.
The PA news agency understands Horner, who remains under investigation by the racing team’s parent company Red Bull GmbH, is due to arrive in the Gulf kingdom on Tuesday evening.
Max Verstappen will take to the wheel of the Red Bull he hopes will carry him to a fourth straight world championship on Wednesday – the first of three days of testing – and Horner is set to be in the paddock to oversee his superstar driver in action.
Excited to get back in the car this week 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hpz5RyYk5u
Advertisement— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) February 19, 2024
Horner is also due to speak at an F1 press conference alongside four other team principals a day later.
The opening round of this season’s championship takes place in Bahrain on March 2.
Speaking at Red Bull Racing’s car launch in Milton Keynes last week, Horner insisted he would be in his position for the first race.
Horner said he was unable to provide a timeline as to when the investigation will be completed.
It is understood both Red Bull and Horner are keen for a swift resolution, but sources have indicated that a conclusion is not imminent.
F1 bosses have called for the controversy to be “clarified at the earliest opportunity”.
IT’S TESTING AND DTS WEEK! ‼️
We hope you didn’t have plans later this week...#F1Testing will give us our first taste of 2024 action, and Formula 1: Drive To Survive presents the 2023 season like you’ve never seen before 🤯#F1 pic.twitter.com/Gk2flsout4— Formula 1 (@F1) February 19, 2024
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Last season Red Bull won all but one of the 22 races, with Verstappen taking his third world championship in as many years.
Speaking last week, a defiant Horner said: “The process has been going on in the background.
“Obviously, there’s been a day job to be getting on with, which is gearing up for the season ahead of us.
“I am confident in the process, which I have fully complied with and will continue to do so, and absolutely deny any of the allegations that have been made against me.
“For me, it is business as normal. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be here.”
