Lewis Hamilton calls impending Christian Horner verdict an ‘important moment’ for F1 and worries allegations of Red Bull chief’s ‘inappropriate behaviour’ are ‘hanging over the sport’

Lewis Hamilton has called the impending verdict on Christian Horner’s future in Formula One an “important moment for the sport to ensure we are true to our values”.

Red Bull Racing’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH, announced on February 5 that Horner is being investigated following an accusation of “inappropriate behavior” by a female colleague. Horner denies the claim.

The embattled Red Bull team principal will arrive in Bahrain for the first race of the season on Wednesday.

A verdict is expected to be released on whether he remains as Red Bull team principal.

“We always need to do more to try to make sport and the environment that people work in feel safe and inclusive,” Hamilton said, addressing the controversy for the first time before Saturday’s kickoff in the Gulf kingdom.

‘Any accusation must be taken very seriously.

“We don’t know everything that has happened, but we have to resolve it because it looms over the sport.

‘It will be interesting to see how this is addressed and the effect it may or may not have on the future of the sport.

“It’s a really important time for the sport to make sure we stay true to our values.”

Horner has been Red Bull team principal since they entered F1 19 years ago and is the longest-serving boss on the grid.

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

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

Verstappen, who enters the new campaign as favorite to win his fourth consecutive title, said: “He (Horner) is very important, otherwise he wouldn’t have been in that position for so long.”

“If your team leader disappears in one of two races, for whatever reason, not much will happen because everyone is in their role.”

‘Then things will start to be different if one of the leaders is no longer there, but we don’t think like that.

‘We trust the process and we have to see what the result will be. On top of that, everyone is focused on what is happening on the track and we are in a good mood to start again.”