The outcome of the investigation into Christian Horner is unlikely to be disclosed today, as the Red Bull boss is set to meet with an independent lawyer in central London.
Horner is under investigation for alleged inappropriate behaviour, although Red Bull has not specified the nature of the complaint.
The internal inquiry is being conducted by the parent company, Red Bull GmbH, which has appointed an independent lawyer to oversee the process.
The lawyer has been actively collecting evidence related to the alleged incident but will meet with Horner for the first time today in London. During this meeting, the Red Bull boss will have the opportunity to present his perspective on the events.
As it is not a legal matter, this is not considered a formal hearing or deposition. Instead, it serves as an opportunity for Horner to provide his account of the story.
According to Sky Sports' Craig Slater, the meeting is expected to commence in the mid-morning on Friday and is likely to extend throughout the majority of the day.
“I have been guided away from expecting an outcome to this investigation today,” he said on Sky Sports News.
“I think you’re right not to call it a hearing which is what it’s been mostly described as. I think this is more of a meeting and an interview by the investigators with Christian Horner which will be, as I understand it, in a central London location today rather than at the team’s headquarters in Milton Keynes. So I’m not expecting an outcome today.
“Clearly [it is] a very significant day. We know that Red Bull are taking this investigation very seriously. There’s an allegation of inappropriate behaviour by Christian Horner by a female member of staff and I understand that relates to controlling and potentially coercive behaviour.
“That’s what we’re looking at here in terms of what Christian Horner is being accused of.
“He has emphatically denied the allegations and is going to work to clear his name but this could be the first step, I’ve been led to understand, in a process which could go on for a while.”
As for the length of the process, Slater said he would not be surprised if Horner was spoken to multiple times and that it would not follow a “Formula 1 timetable.”
“It’s the first interview with Christian Horner, there might be the potential for a second interview, I think he is prepared for that and is expecting it to be quite a long day.
“As I understand that, I think we’re talking about a process which will start sometime mid-morning and will continue into the afternoon, the investigators have pledged to be through with this.
“For those thinking, this could either be concluded today or possibly in advance of the Red Bull launch, which is the 15th of February next Thursday, well that isn’t a certainty.
“This is not going to operate as I understand it to a Formula 1 timetable, it will operate to a timetable appropriate to get a clear and fair solution for both parties.”
According to The Times, the matter is unlikely to be resolved prior to the RB20 launch, with the Bahrain Grand Prix being a more realistic target.
Horner has also been in the office since Wednesday filming material for the RB20 launch, and Red Bull has made a point of not sharing meeting details with Milton Keynes staff.