Vowles becomes first F1 boss to react to Horner being cleared

James Vowles believes Formula 1 must have "trust" in the Red Bull investigation that cleared Christian Horner of inappropriate behaviour.

On Wednesday, Horner was officially cleared by Red Bull GmbH after a lengthy investigation after the Team Principal and CEO was accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female member of staff.

Horner repeatedly denied the allegations when questioned about them, with the FIA, F1 and Red Bull's 2026 engine partner Ford all urging a swift resolution.

Horner had been carrying out his duties as normal as the investigation was carried out, with the complainant able to appeal the verdict of Red Bull Racing's parent company, if she so wishes.

Williams boss Vowles was the first F1 Team Principal to react when Horner was placed under investigation in early February, and now the case has been closed, Vowles feels Red Bull's handling of the case should be backed.

Vowles' Horner response

"I have no knowledge of any of the detail behind any of it and it would be incorrect for me to comment on any of that," Vowles told media including RacingNews365.

"I do feel two things. One, I have a responsibility to Williams and my responsibility to Williams is should anything like this happen, I want to make sure that we properly investigate it, and that have do have a robust process that is then clear to the outside world what has happened and what we've done to rectify it.

"I can control that, I can't control what has happened elsewhere.

"Within what has happened at Red Bull, I trust that Red Bull has done a strong process, we have to in that circumstance.

"What I want is us as a sport, though, to be proud that we're sitting on several foundations that are of inclusivity, openness and transparency.

"All I asked for in that matter is that we make sure we have faith and trust in all of us as organisations that are working with the same standards."