New details have emerged over the allegation facing Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner
New details have emerged about Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner’s claims.
New allegations have been made against Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner.
Red Bull Racing boss Horner will face lawyers on Saturday (AEDT) over shocking allegations of “inappropriate behaviour”. Austrian energy drink company Red Bull, which owns the team, confirmed earlier this week that an independent investigation into Horner had been launched.
Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported that the allegations against Max Verstappen were made by another employee of the British team that won three consecutive world titles last year. Horner, 50, who has driven the Red Bull team since 2005, strongly denied the claims.
“After recently becoming aware of specific allegations, the company has launched an independent investigation,” Red Bull said in a statement released Monday. Christian Horner and (inside) with wife Geri Halliwell. Photo: Getty Images
Christian Horner and (inside) with wife Geri Halliwell. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
“This process, which is already underway, is being led by an external professional lawyer.
“The company takes this matter very seriously and the investigation will be completed as quickly as possible. “It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
In response to the claims, Horner told De Telegraaf: “I completely deny these claims.”
While the nature of the allegations remains speculative, sources told The Sun that the investigation focuses on female employees’ concerns about Horner’s rigorous work schedule and does not involve sexual misconduct.
“Christian was concerned about his behavior and showed he was unhappy,” an F1 source said. Horner, wife Geri Horner and Emma Bunton with Spice Girls Melanie Chisholm (left). (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Source: Getty Images
“He then made a complaint about his ‘controlling’ behaviour, which sparked a crisis in the team.”
F1 sources also claimed there was a deliberate attempt to destabilize Horner. Rumors of a power struggle have plagued Red Bull Racing since the death of Horner’s teammate and billionaire founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022.
Last year, Horner dismissed rumors of a falling out with Red Bull F1 director Helmut Marko, 80, as “a slight difference of opinion”. Horner’s Spice Girl wife Geri Halliwell, 51, stands by her husband as he is questioned by an independent lawyer appointed to investigate the woman’s claims at a British conference.
Halliwell has told friends that she doesn’t believe the rumors that have been floating around for days. A source close to the Ginger Spice star said: “Gary cried watching the kids over the weekend.”
“He said Christian didn’t do anything wrong.”
Neither Horner nor his accuser have been suspended and continue to work with 1,600 staff at the Austrian team’s headquarters in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. Horner’s management style is now part of the criticism leveled at him. (Photo: Alfredo Estrella/AFP)
Source: AFP
Another source told The Sun: “It’s a difficult situation but there’s no getting out of it until the skies open and this problem is resolved.”
Red Bull wants to resolve the issue before the first race weekend of the new F1 season, which starts in Bahrain later this month. Since Horner took over as team principal in 2005, Red Bull has won the F1 World Drivers’ Championship seven times and the World Constructors’ Championship six times.
Asked about the allegations against Horner, rival Williams team boss James Vowles said: way to go. “Maybe not today, but in 10 years we can be proud.”
Horner and Max Verstappen were a very successful combination. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Source: Getty Images
Horner, who married Halliwell in 2015, earns an annual salary of around $15 million from Red Bull and is scheduled to play through the 2024 season.
The first race is due to take place in Bahrain on March 2, but Horner has been advised to step down amid an investigation. In a statement to Mail Online, he described the claims as “crazy”.
His lawyers said the claims were part of a plot to remove him from the team in an internal power struggle. Red Bull won 21 of 22 races last year and Verstappen won three consecutive championships, setting a record 10 consecutive victories.
Red Bull is set to unveil its latest vehicle ahead of the new season on February 15.
