Christian Horner has publicly denied the claim for the first time since being placed under investigation by the team's Austrian parent company Red Bull GmBH.

The accusation by a female colleague surfaced early last week. Horner has previously denied the allegation "entirely".

He broke his silence as he insisted the internal probe, which included him being questioned for eight hours by a lawyer, had not forced him to ponder quitting.

"Not at all, absolutely not," said Horner when asked if he had considered his role as Red Bull Racing's team principal and chief executive.

"I am fully committed. I built this team. I convinced people to come and work here."

The motorsport chief, 50, vowed to be in his post for the first F1 race of the new season in Bahrain next month.

He was speaking on Thursday as he attended the world champions' launch of their new car at their Milton Keynes headquarters.

Horner is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, who he said has been "very supportive", and he also revealed he had been "overwhelmed" by messages of goodwill from within the sport.

Asked by Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater if he had considered stepping aside from his team principal and CEO roles temporarily during the probe, he replied: "It's business as usual, there obviously is a process.

"Obviously, I fully deny any accusations that have been made against me. Of course I work with that process which I hope is concluded in the near future."

Slater also asked if it was regrettable that the accusation had come into the public domain and inevitably put a big spotlight on the team. Horner replied: "Of course that's always unfortunate.

"But the team is strong. It's together and today is an important day as we lay a marker down for the season ahead."

Slater asked him about speculation of possible friction between him and the Red Bull office in Salzburg, Austria, and "some kind of power struggle".

Horner replied: "We are one team, we are one group, the support from the shareholders has been phenomenal and without that support we wouldn't be here - so no, that's not correct."

'No friction with Verstappen'

Horner also said there was no friction with his champion driver Max Verstappen, adding: "Max is very focused on his job, he's been very supportive and I am looking forward to the season ahead with him.

"There is always going to be speculation but we are together as one team, that's the way we have always been, and that's the way we continue to be."

Horner said he did not know when there would be a resolution to the investigation, but "hopefully it will be in the not-too-distant future".

Horner said he had "a hugely supportive family, a very supportive wife".

"I have felt the support from within the business and our partners, and the support from within the industry has been overwhelming, too."

Horner has been Red Bull team principal since they entered Formula One 19 years ago and is the longest-serving boss on the grid.

During that period he has overseen seven drivers' world championships and six constructors' titles.

In recent seasons, Red Bull have dominated the sport and last year won 21 of the 22 races, with Verstappen setting a new record for 10 consecutive victories.

The new season starts in Bahrain on 2 March.