Christian Horner was sighted conversing with Helmut Marko following the Red Bull CEO’s update.

Christian Horner was spotted chatting with fellow Red Bull staff members Pierre Wache and Helmut Marko in the F1 paddock during pre-season testing in Bahrain. The team principal is currently under investigation after allegations of misconduct were made against him by an unnamed employee.

Christian Horner has been at the centre of the drama in the F1 paddock leading up to pre-season testing.

The reigning world champions opted not to suspend their team principal after the allegations became public knowledge with Horner carrying out his regular duties at the RB20 launch event last week before arriving as scheduled at pre-season testing in Bahrain.

Giving his thoughts to ServusTV, Marko said: “As you know, this is an internal investigation. [But] I think Red Bull has reacted very well in this matter. The long duration of this investigation is not their fault. They are endeavouring to [have] a fair investigation and then react accordingly.”

Horner was asked himself about the decision not to suspend his Red Bull duties after appearing at the RB20 launch event in Milton Keynes, explaining: “Well I think it’s been very clear and the position of Red Bull has been that it’s business as normal.

“Of course, the allegations is a process that Red Bull are running through and have confirmed that process externally, but obviously there’s a job to do and I deny fully the accusations that have been made, and my role obviously continues

Thankfully for Horner and the Red Bull team, the noise surrounding his long-term future with the reigning champions seemingly had little effect on their on-track performance during the opening day of pre-season testing.

Max Verstappen consistently appeared at the top of the timing sheets during the initial two sessions of the week.

He led the way in the morning and then impressed race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase with a brilliant lap in the afternoon, beating second-placed Lando Norris by eight-tenths of a second.

Horner had previously indicated that the investigation into misconduct allegations would not derail the team, suggesting that during times of uncertainty, the team becomes more united and supportive than ever. “Everyone is concentrating on one thing, the performance of the car, in order to protect the world titles we have worked hard to earn in the past few years.

The car is the main focus for everyone, and I am excited to see it in action in Bahrain next week.”