CHRISTIAN Horner appeared carefree as he was spotted smiling and chatting to his team in Bahrain on the first day of testing for the 2024/25 Formula One season.
The Red Bull chief was pictured laughing as he had lunch with Sergio Perez despite bombshell allegations of “sexual messages” and “inappropriate behaviour” hanging over his head.
He previously said he plans to continue with “business as usual.”
Horner, 50, is under investigation over the shock allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” by a female colleague – with the results expected in a matter of days.
He has categorically denied the claims, as Red Bull continue to investigate following an initial eight hour grilling.
Horner arrived in the Gulf kingdom overnight to watch star driver Max Verstappen test out an RB20 for the first time on an F1 track.
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He is also expected to attend a press conference at the testing event alongside other F1 bosses.
Horner has already been present at secret Red Bull test runs and when he made an appearance at the recent RB20 launch event he spoke publicly about the allegations for the first time.
He said: “Inevitably there has been a distraction, but the team are very together.
“Everybody’s focused on the season ahead, so it’s been very much business as normal and the support has been fantastic.
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“In situations like these, you see where the strengths are, and it’s been overwhelming the support that I’ve had from within the team.
“There have been some allegations made, which I fully deny, so that the investigation is very much going on in the background whilst preparing for the season ahead, and hopefully it will be concluded in the near future.”
And in one interview, he praised wife Geri Halliwell and said: “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.”
Geri was reportedly reduced to tears as news broke of the scandal just days ago – but privately insisted he did nothing wrong.
On Sunday she was seen standing by her husband at a horse racing event in Badbury Rings, Dorset.
F1 released a statement on Sunday saying: “We hope that the matter will be clarified at the earliest opportunity after a fair and thorough process.
“We have noted Red Bull has instigated an independent investigation into internal allegations at Red Bull Racing.
“We will not comment further at this time.”
The final decision on the Red Bull probe could come out this week – and it remains unclear whether Horner will be able to return to Bahrain for the F1 season opener on March 2.
Horner has overseen a huge period of success for the racing team – winning multiple F1 championships with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.
And Ford have apparently ramped up pressure on their future partners at Red Bull Racing to investigate the outcome “seriously but quickly”.
The bombshell claims that have rocked F1
F1 was rocked earlier this month by the sudden news that the sport’s longest-standing team principal had been placed under investigation by Red Bull’s Austria-based parent company.
This was thought to be over a “dossier of incriminating material” regarding “inappropriate and controlling behaviour” towards one female, The Telegraph reported.
Red Bull’s Austrian parent company flew an independent lawyer to the UK to question the multi-millionaire race ace and his accuser.
The former racing driver, who runs world champion Max Verstappen’s all-conquering Red Bull team, endured an eight-hour grilling over the claims last week.
Most recently however, more allegations have come out as the De Telegraaf reported that Horner allegedly sent sex messages to his employee “over an extended period of time”.
Messages were said to have been saved and presented as evidence to the external barrister running the inquiry after the woman made a complaint last December.
Mr Horner categorically denied the new allegations and is thought to be taking legal action against De Telegraaf.
An F1 source told The Sun last week that “Christian has not been sacked or asked to resign and he is not going to resign”.
The investigation raises the question of who could take over the helm of the all-conquering racing team of world champion Max Verstappen.
His wife Geri Halliwell is also said to be “terrified her life will unravel” amid Horner’s “inappropriate behaviour” probe.
The ex-Spice Girl, who was “in floods of tears” when the Red Bull boss was hit with the bombshell allegations, fears the drama will drag on for years, a source has claimed.
But Geri, 51, is understood to be standing by her husband.
She has told pals: “Christian has done nothing wrong.”
Horner 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.
Ford are set to become partners with Red Bull Racing from 2026 as the team’s engine supplier – but sources say they could walk away from the deal if things aren’t dealt with soon.
It has been seen as a distraction at Red Bull as the company looks to retain their constructors title for 2024/25 and help World Champion Max Verstappen break more racing records.
And Horner is reportedly happy to cooperate fully and is hoping the investigation is resolved within the next week.
Yesterday, Horner’s wife former Spice Girl Geri, briefly unfollowed Max Verstappen on Instagram before later following him again.
Geri also unfollowed the Beckhams – including former Posh Spice Victoria, her husband David, and their son Brooklyn.
The Sun had just exclusively revealed that the couple – who married in 2015 – were being helped by all the Spice Girls.
A source said: “They are quietly supporting her behind the scenes and checking in to make sure she is OK.
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“Geri has been left broken by the ordeal, but is grateful for the kindness being shown to her by friends.”
She is said to be “terrified her life will unravel” amid the accusations of “sexual messages” and “inappropriate behaviour”.
Christian Horner’s life and career
CHRISTIAN Horner is among the most well-known names in Formula One having helped build Red Bull into one of the biggest teams in the sport.
1973 – Born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
1991 – Wins a Formula Renault scholarship after impressing in karting races
1993-1997 – Competed in a host of competitions including British Formula Three, British Formula Two, and Formula 3000
1997 – Founded and developed the F3000 team Arden
1999 – Retired from driving and continued developing the Arden team
2005 – Appointed head of Red Bull team, becoming the youngest ever team principal at that time
2009 – Wins his first races as team principal with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber
2010 – Wins the Constructors’ Championship and Drivers’ Championship with Vettel – the first of four doubles in a row
2013 – Has a daughter with ex-wife Beverly Allen shortly before the couple split
2014 – Gets engaged to Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell
2015 – Marries Halliwell in Woburn, Bedfordshire
2017 – Horner and Halliwell welcome their son
2021 – Wins another Drivers’ Championship with Max Verstappen, pipping Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the season
2022-23 – Red Bull win the Drivers’ Championship and Constructors’ Championship two years in a row
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
