Christian Horner to be CLEARED of inappropriate behaviour after Red Bull probe hours before start of F1 season

CHRISTIAN Horner is set to be CLEARED of any wrongdoing after bombshell claims were made by a female colleague about his behaviour.

The F1 chief, 50, has been the subject of an internal investigation following allegations of inappropriate behaviour made by a female staffer. 

Reuters

Christian Horner pictured ahead of practice in Nevada in November 2023[/caption]

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Horner leads the all-conquering racing team of world champion Max Verstappen[/caption]

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Horner with wife Geri, who he married in 2015[/caption]

Embattled Red Bull team principal Horner, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was initially under investigation over alleged controlling behaviour at work.

But it was later alleged that he sent the female employee “sexually suggestive” messages.

Horner vehemently denied all claims threatening his position as leader of the all-conquering team of world champion Max Verstappen.

It is understood Horner is due to be cleared of misconduct after an independent barrister was employed to review the evidence, SunSport understands.

Red Bull is due to confirm its verdict later this afternoon. Any decision made could be appealed.

Horner today flew out to Bahrain ahead of the F1 season opener Grand Prix on Saturday – not knowing the outcome of the probe.

Over the more than three-week process of the probe, the message from within the team has been that it is “business as usual”.

Horner was present at the pre-season testing in Bahrain last week and Red Bull’s 2024 car launch days prior.

The team principal, who has led the Austrian team since its formation in 2005, was quizzed by an independent barrister in a private location late into the afternoon on February 9.

Horner is said to have privately vowed to his friends he will “clear his name”.

Red Bull has been under pressure to resolve the matter with Ford CEO Jim Farley demanding a resolution as he expressed his disapproval of “the unresolved allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Red Bull Racing leadership”.

Last week, Horner addressed the new bombshell probe and declared he wanted a conclusion as “soon as possible”.

He was previously reportedly urged to resign by ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone – and F1 insiders did not “expect him to survive in his role”, according to BBC Sport.

F1 was rocked by the news that the sport’s longest-standing team principal had been placed under investigation by Red Bull’s Austria-based parent company.

Horner’s wife Geri Halliwell, 51, is understood to be standing firmly by her husband, who she married in 2015.

Earlier this month, she was pictured smiling alongside her husband at a horse racing event in Badbury Rings, Dorset.

She was allegedly reduced to tears when news of the scandal broke – but privately insisted he did nothing wrong.

And a source said she is “mortified and angry” with her husband according to the the Daily Mail.

Horner previously praised his wife for her support and told Dutch journalists: “I have a very supportive family and a very supportive wife.

“My focus has been on the job and the season ahead. I’m not going to talk about private matters, but my family have been hugely supportive.”

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It comes as…

• Ford CEO demanded resolution into Horner probe
• Max Verstappen has spoken out about Horner’s investigation
• Christian Horner says he wants a “conclusion as soon as possible”
• The five candidates who could replace Horner at Red Bull
• Wife Geri Halliwell says she is “mortified and angry” 
• Horner probe comes amid ‘power struggle’ at Red Bull

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The Red Bull Racing boss has reportedly referred to the allegations as “nuts”.

The F1 chief has overseen a huge period of success for the racing team – winning multiple F1 championships with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.

Red Bull has won seven Formula One world drivers’ championships and six world ­constructors’ titles under Horner’s leadership.

Last season, the team won 21 of the 22 races on the global F1 tour, and Verstappen, 26, won the drivers’ crown.

Horner was awarded a CBE for services to motorsport in the 2024 New Year’s Honours List.

Ahead of the probe into Horner’s conduct, there were reports of an unrelated internal power struggle waging within Red Bull.

Rumours of issues between the team’s leadership have swirled since the death of billionaire co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022 and the team drafted a new board of directors.

Former RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff was appointed chief executive.

Despite Red Bull enjoying its most successful season in F1 history in 2023, there was speculation of a rift between Horner and Helmut Marko – Red Bull GmBH’s motorsport advisor.

Rumours even went as far as to suggest Horner was determined to get rid of Marko, 80, from the team.

christianhorner/Instagram

Spice Girl Geri Halliwell has spent a day at the races with her husband on Sunday[/caption]

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Verstappen and Horner the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar in October 2023[/caption]