F1 LIVE: Red Bull confirm Christian Horner verdict as Hamilton and Verstappen speak out | F1 | Sport

Former Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo has dismissed suggestions that the media whirlwind surrounding Christian Horner has been a distraction on the track.

Horner will be in Bahrain on Wednesday ahead of this weekend’s 2024 opener but doesn’t yet know the outcome of Red Bull’s investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague.

Ricciardo, who has had a long-term relationship with Horner, hopes there will be a fair outcome from the situation.

“Coming into the test, obviously, we were aware of everything going on. But would I say, was it an on-track distraction? No, it wasn’t,” Ricciardo explained.

“Knowing we have so little time as well, it was really ‘I need to focus on me, my team, my driving’ and trying to start this week as strongly as possible. Do I feel for him through all of this? Yes, I’ve known Christian for a long time. He’s always been great with me.

“So I do hope that there is a fair outcome and resolution soon, hopefully before this weekend, so it’s not really a distraction for him or obviously anyone in the team. But honestly, for us, we’ve had to really just focus on ourselves and trying to get on with the task.”