Red Bull's Horner denies wrongdoing amid investigation

MILTON KEYNES, England (AP) — Red Bull team principal Christian Horner insisted it was "business as normal" as he helped the team launch its car for the new Formula 1 season on Thursday, even as he faces a company investigation into an alleged claim of misconduct.

Horner again denied any wrongdoing as he spoke to reporters at the launch.

"Obviously, there's a process that's ongoing at the moment. Some allegations have been made which I fully deny and I comply, obviously, with that process and will continue to do so," Horner said.

Horner was speaking in public for the first time since the Red Bull parent company said Feb. 5 it was investigating allegations of misconduct toward a team employee.

"The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible," the company said at the time.

It remains unclear how long the investigation might take, Red Bull is preparing for preseason testing next week in Bahrain and the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 2 with uncertainty over the future of its team principal.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen has won the drivers' title in each of the last three seasons.