EXCLUSIVE
Christian Horner: Lewis Hamilton’s decision is brave but I would never do the same to Red Bull
Christian Horner has told talkSPORT that his loyalty to Red Bull would prevent him from ever working for another Formula 1 team.
Horner has been the face behind the pit wall at Red Bull Racing since their arrival on the grid in 2005 and they remain the team to beat.
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He was speaking to talkSPORT in his first public appearance since investigations into 'inappropriate behaviour' began.
The long-time Formula 1 team principal said he ‘completely denies’ such claims after a Red Bull spokesperson confirmed the team had launched an independent investigation.
Horner formed the unstoppable pairing of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, who won 21 of the 22 races last season between them.
The two Red Bull drivers eased to the 2023 Constructors' title with their 451-point gap to Mercedes in second greater than the gap between the Silver Arrows' and Haas in last place.
It is the sixth constructors' championship lifted under Horner, while Verstappen's third successive drivers' title took that tally to seven.
Red Bull's dominance has led to one of the biggest blockbuster moves in F1 history, with Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes.
Hamilton is entering his 12th and final season with the Silver Arrows before joining Ferrari - who are set to be Red Bull's main challengers - in 2025.
On his reaction to the move, Horner told talkSPORT: "I think it's great for the sport. I think it's a brave move by Lewis.
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"He's been part of the Mercedes family since before his time in Formula 1 so it's a brave decision.
"But Ferrari's one of the most iconic teams in Formula 1, it's an incredible brand and Lewis has obviously seen something that has turned his head that has attracted him to make that move."
On whether Hamilton's exit will have heavy ramifications on Mercedes, Horner added: "It's impossible to know what's behind these decisions and what their options are for the future.
"That's why I try to focus on what we're doing rather than worrying about others."
Despite Horner calling Hamilton's decision 'brave', the Drive to Survive favourite can't foresee himself making a similar switch to stay in the sport if the time ever came for him to leave Red Bull.
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Appearing at the launch of the RB20 challenger, Horner said: "I've been here since the beginning.
"I've built the team, I feel a tremendous loyalty to the people that work here. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else."
Horner is the longest-serving team principal on the grid, having headed up Red Bull’s operations for their 19-year stint in F1.
With Verstappen behind the wheel, the RB20 is all-but guaranteed to deliver more success ahead of their dual-title defence in Bahrain.
The Dutchman claimed a record-breaking 19 wins in 2023 to end the year 290 points clear of teammate Perez and a further 51 clear of his nearest non-Red Bull challenger, Hamilton in third.
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Yet Red Bull's season is currently being overshadowed by the investigations into 'inappropriate behaviour' levelled at Horner.
Speaking separately, Horner said: "There obviously is a process.
"Obviously, I fully deny any accusations that have been made against me but of course I'll work with that process, which I hope is concluded in the near future."
Asked why he still attended the car launch with the spotlight firmly on him, Horner replied: "I've denied the allegations. For me it's business as normal.
"I'm confident in that. If I wasn't, I wouldn't be here."
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Horner will next be seen on track for pre-season testing later this month, where the RB20 will be the envy of the rest of the paddock.
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Speaking to talkSPORT, Horner said: "I'm incredibly proud to see what this team has achieved.
"I think the way it's worked together as a group and across all the different departments, all the different people within the team, is hugely rewarding and exciting for the future as well so what's been achieved here at Milton Keynes is quite special."
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