The boss of Formula One’s Red Bull team says it’s “business as usual” as he denied an allegation of “inappropriate behaviour” in his first public comments since the accusation emerged.

The claim, which has been made against Christian Horner by a female colleague, surfaced early last week.

An investigation by the Red Bull Racing’s Austrian parent company Red Bull GmBH continues into the allegation and Horner remains in his roles as team principal and chief executive.

The motorsport chief, 50, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, attended the world champions’ launch of their car for the new F1 season at their Milton Keynes headquarters on Thursday.

Asked by Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater if he had considered stepping aside from his roles temporarily during the probe, he replied: “It’s business as usual, there obviously is a process.

“Obviously, I fully deny any accusations that have been made against me. Of course I work with that process which I hope is concluded in the near future.”

Slater also asked if it was regrettable that the accusation had come into the public domain and inevitably put a big spotlight on the team. Horner replied: “Of course that’s always unfortunate.

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“But the team is strong. It’s together and today is an important day as we lay a marker down for the season ahead.”

Slater asked him about speculation of possible friction between him and the Red Bull office in Salzburg, Austria, and “some kind of power struggle”.

Horner replied: “We are one team, we are one group, the support from the shareholders has been phenomenal and without that support we wouldn’t be here – so no, that’s not correct.”

‘No friction with Verstappen’

Horner also said there was no friction with his champion driver Max Verstappen, adding: “Max is very focused on his job, he’s been very supportive and I am looking forward to the season ahead with him.

“There is always going to be speculation but we are together as one team, that’s the way we have always been, and that’s the way we continue to be.”

Horner said he did not know when there would be a resolution to the investigation, but “hopefully it will be in the not-too-distant future”.

Last week, Horner was questioned by a lawyer for eight hours as part of the probe.

Horner has been Red Bull team principal since they entered Formula One 19 years ago and is the longest-serving boss on the grid.

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During that period he has overseen seven drivers’ world championships and six constructors’ titles.

In recent seasons, Red Bull have dominated the sport and last year won 21 of the 22 races, with Verstappen setting a new record for 10 consecutive victories.

The new season starts in Bahrain on 2 March.

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