Christian Horner has detailed his relief after allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague were dismissed following an appeal.

The initial complaint led to an internal review from Red Bull’s parent company Red Bull GmbH in Salzburg, which concluded with the 50-year-old being cleared.

A day after the initial complaint against multi-trophy winning Horner was made, a file alleged to contain evidence was sent to nearly 200 people in the F1 paddock, including members of the press, team principals and franchise owner Liberty Media.

The authenticity of those files has never been verified as it was sent from a generic nameless email account.

The complainant, who remains on the staff, has been suspended since March and subsequently launched an appeal against the initial verdict.

Christian Horner has made his first public statement since an appeal over claims of ‘coercive behaviour’ was dismissed

The Red Bull team principal detailed his relief after being cleared for the second time

Earlier this month Horner, who has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, was exonerated for a second time and the appeal dismissed.

Speaking for the first time since the appeal was thrown out, the Red Bull team principal detailed his relief at being able to focus solely on the track going forward.

‘Obviously it’s been a hugely thorough process and, of course, I was relieved with the appeal concluding and dismissing the claim.’ Horner told Sky Sports News.

‘So now It’s very much, as it has been all season, focus on track, here at Max’s home race and looking forward to these last ten races.’

A statement from Red Bull following the verdict said: ‘The complainant exercised the right to appeal, and the appeal was carried by another independent KC.

‘All stages of the appeal process have now been concluded, with the final outcome that the appeal is not upheld.

‘The KC’s conclusions have been accepted and adopted by Red Bull.

Max Verstappen enters Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix looking to extend his lead at the top of the drivers’ standings

‘The internal process has concluded.’

Verstappen enters the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday with a 78-point lead at the top of the drivers’ standings as he looks to move one step closer to securing a fourth-consecutive title.

Meanwhile Red Bull sit top of the constructors’ standings as they aim to make it three-in-a-row.