Motorsport

CHRISTIAN Horner has made his first public appearance since bombshell claims of “inappropriate behaviour” were made against him.The successful Formula One team chief was facing the cameras at Red Bull Racing’s season launch event today.
Christian Horner has made his first public appearance since bombshell claims of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ were made against himCredit: Red Bull
He smiled as he appeared alongside former Red Bull driver David CoulthardCredit: Red Bull
Horner was last seen at a secret test run this week for the new Red Bull car laughing and smiling
Christian’s wife Geri has backed her husband since the bombshell claims came outCredit: PA
The 50-year-old turned up to the launch event at the team’s Milton Keynes HQ as planned.
He smiled as he initially appeared alongside former Red Bull driver David Coulthard.
As the pair reflected on the retired racing driver’s time with the team, Horner said: “It’s a very inclusive culture, it’s a team culture.”
He continued: “It’s everything. The men and women here at Milton Keynes, all the people behind the scenes.
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“It’s out of these industrial buildings that we’ve created these incredible cars.
“For me, Formula 1 is a team sport, and it’s the people that are the single biggest assets.”
Chief technology officer Adrian Newey then joined the duo and Horner described “keeping the team together” during Mercedes’ period of dominance.
Current world champion Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez arrived as the team unveiled their incredible car for the F1 season ahead.
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The Dutchman, 26, said: “I guess time will tell. I’m excited. It’s always very nice to see a new car come to life, all the people around it.
“For me, it’s about looking forward to Bahrain, to get testing, get comfortable.
Christian Horner breaks silence on ‘inappropriate behaviour’ allegation at Red Bull F1 launch
“It’s going to be a long season, and we just want to hit the ground running.”
Horner then told Sky News: “I feel the support within the business, within our partners, within the industry – it is overwhelming.
“There’s a process that’s ongoing at the moment. Some allegations have been made, which I fully deny and I have fully complied with that process and will continue to do so.
“I think it’s been very clear. In the position of Red Bull, it has been business as normal.
“The allegation is a process that Red Bull are running through and they confirmed that process externally.
For me, Formula 1 is a team sport, and it’s the people that are the single biggest assets.Christian HornerPrincipal of the Red Bull Racing
“But there’s a job to do – I denied fully the accusations and my role obviously continues.”
Horner was asked how he has been able to concentrate on his work with the accusations swirling around and coping being thrust into the spotlight.
He added: “I will continue to do so until the conclusion of the process, the internal process – I can’t tell you what that process consists of.”
In a separate interview to Dutch journalists, Horner added: “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.”
The Red Bull launch was the final of this year’s ten F1 teams with all 20 cars being seen out on track ahead of the blockbuster season opener in Bahrain on March 2.
Horner is expected to stick to his work commitments over the coming weeks as the team gears up for the start of the F1 season.
This will include media obligations including interviews where he is thought to face questions over his position and his team’s preparation for the season despite the huge distraction.
However, questions about the probe into Horner will likely be declined until the official investigation report is presented to Red Bull at their base in Austria.
Horner faced an eight-hour grilling last Friday with Red Bull bosses over the accusations but the results of the crunch talks have not been made public yet.
It is believed Horner’s future at Red Bull hangs in the balance despite the new F1 season starting in just weeks.
Horner – who is married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell – has reportedly referred to the allegations as “nuts” and said publicly: “I completely deny these claims.”
It comes after Horner joined the Red Bull team at Silverstone for a secret test run of the new RB20 car on Tuesday.
F1 teams are allowed two filming days to capture content of their cars on track – and it also offers the potential to run the car for the first time.
Horner was surrounded by his fellow Red Bull team in the video smiling and laughing as they all stood outside of the garage in the pouring rain.
As he spoke alongside the retired racing driver, Horner said: ‘It’s a very inclusive culture, it’s a team culture’Credit: Red Bull
Horner described ‘keeping the team together’ during Mercedes’ period of dominanceCredit: Red Bull
Current world champion Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez arrivedCredit: Getty
The team unveiled their incredible car for the F1 season aheadCredit: Reuters
WHAT HAS BEEN CLAIMED?
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.
It has allegedly compiled a “dossier of incriminating material” regarding “inappropriate and controlling behaviour” towards one female, The Telegraph reported.
The Red Bull Racing boss, 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 last Friday.
The F1 chief was questioned for eight hours over his alleged “controlling behaviour”.
Horner forced a smile as he was picked up in a chauffeur-driven car from his North London home ahead of the critical hearing.
But 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”.
They also revealed the investigation is nowhere near its end – with it potentially dragging into the new F1 season.
The insider said: “This is not a trial and we are not going to have an answer and an outcome by the end of the day.

It comes as…

“This is not something that is going to be rectified that quickly.
“People are expecting this to be over before the start of the F1 season, but that just isn’t going to happen.”
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.
A look at Christian Horner’s life and careerCHRISTIAN 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, beating 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

Geri Halliwell fears the allegations will take a toll on her marriage
The couple are due to celebrate their 10th anniversary next year
Horner was pictured going to a meeting in London with Red Bull bosses over the allegationsCredit: Peter Jordan
Red Bull are yet to make a decision on Horner’s futureCredit: PA More

FORMER F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone has given his pal Christian Horner three key pieces of advice amid his “behaviour” probe.The Red Bull Racing boss has been advised to “keep his head down” as Ecclestone warned that Horner has a target on his back.
Bernie Ecclestone has given Christian Horner three pieces of advice amid his “behaviour” probeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ecclestone advised Horner to ‘keep his head down’Credit: Reuters
Horner is still thought to be getting probed by Red Bull Racing over allegations made against him regarding ‘inappropriate and controlling behaviour’ towards one femaleCredit: Getty
Ecclestone – who has been friends with the successful team principle since 2005 – made it clear that Horner should focus on trying to shut out the bombshell allegations from his mind.
He said: “My advice to Christian, apart from keeping his head down, is to do nothing, wait and see what happens.”
Ecclestone, 93, spoke to AFP and told them that he still stays “in close contact” with Horner over the phone.
The pair grew close in Horner’s first season at Red Bull almost two decades ago when he joined the Formula One pitlane as the youngest team principal at just 31-years-old.
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At the time Ecclestone was thriving in his role as F1’s top boss – a job that made him a billionaire.
In the interview, Ecclestone also suggested that Horner had “made a lot of enemies” in the sport and claimed this could play a part in his potential downfall.
He said: “The trouble is once you are successful you make a lot of enemies and this is a case in point.
“Effectively they want to oust him.”
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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.
Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner investigated by F1 team over ‘serious allegations’ of ‘inappropriate behaviour’
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.
Ecclestone ended his interview saying: “I hope Christian keeps his head down and that someone talks individually to him and the woman and it is sorted out.”
Ecclestone has shown his support for Horner despite the claims prompting a big response from Red Bull Racing as they investigate a female staff members claims against Horner.
The 93-year-old billionaire former chief previously advised Horner to step down as Red Bull team principal, according to sources.
F1 Insider were told that Ecclestone warned his long-term friend that resigning would save him and his family from further damage caused by the fallout of the scandal.
WHAT HAS BEEN CLAIMED?
F1 was rocked over a week ago 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.
It has allegedly compiled a “dossier of incriminating material” regarding “inappropriate and controlling behaviour” towards one female, The Telegraph reported.
Horner has reportedly referred to the allegations as “nuts” and said publicly: “I completely deny these claims.”
The Red Bull Racing boss, 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 last Friday.
The F1 chief was grilled for eight hours over his alleged “controlling behaviour” and is currently awaiting a decision – even though insiders reckon it could take months.
Horner forced a smile as he was picked up in a chauffeur-driven car from his North London home ahead of the critical hearing.
But 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”.
They also revealed the investigation is nowhere near it’s end – with it potentially dragging into the new F1 season.
The insider said: “This is not a trial and we are not going to have an answer and an outcome by the end of the day.
“This is not something that is going to be rectified that quickly.
“People are expecting this to be over before the start of the F1 season, but that just isn’t going to happen.”
The 50-year-old – who strongly denies all the claims – was seen yesterday with the team at Silverstone where Red Bull’s new car was unveiled.
His wife Geri Halliwell is also said to be “terrified her life will unravel” amid Horner’s “inappropriate behaviour” probe.
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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. 
Horner will attend Red Bull Racing’s season launch event tomorrow as planned in his first public appearance since facing the accusations.
A look at Christian Horner’s life and careerCHRISTIAN 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, beating 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

Ecclestone and Horner have been pals since 2005Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Red Bull Racing are yet to announce anything regarding the results of their investigation into the bombshell allegationsCredit: PA More

CHRISTIAN HORNER will attend Red Bull Racing’s season launch event tomorrow as planned.It will be Horner’s first public appearance since facing accusations of “inappropriate behaviour” by a female colleague and facing an eight-hour grilling last Friday.
Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has been accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour’Credit: Reuters
Horner was all smiles at a Red Bull event at Silverstone
Horner with world champion Max VerstappenCredit: Getty
Horner is expected to attend the Red Bull’s launch event at their HQ in Milton KeynesCredit: Reuters
The 50-year-old Red Bull racing boss pictured with Spice Girl wife Geri HalliwellCredit: PA
The results of the crunch talks have not been made public – meaning Horner’s future at Red Bull still hangs in the balance.
Horner – who is married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell – has reportedly referred to the allegations as “nuts” and said publicly: “I completely deny these claims.”
And the 50-year-old has stuck to his work commitments this week as the team gears up for the start of the F1 season in Bahrain.
He’s scheduled to be at the season launch event on Thursday at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes HQ where they will unveil the new car.
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It’s likely that questions about the probe into Horner will be declined until the official report is presented to Red Bull at their base in Austria.
It was initially believed a decision would be made ahead of the launch – but it is likely there will not be an outcome until the season opener.
It comes after Horner joined the team at Silverstone for a secret test run of the new RB20 car on Tuesday.
F1 teams are allowed two filming days to capture content of their cars on track – and it also offers the potential to run the car for the first time.
Most read in Motorsport
Horner was surrounded by his fellow Red Bull team in the video as they all stood outside of the garage in the pouring rain.
Both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez got their first taste of this season’s challenger – with the Dutchman looking to defend his world drivers’ title.
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.
It allegedly compiled a “dossier of incriminating material” regarding “inappropriate and controlling behaviour” towards one woman, The Telegraph reported.
Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner investigated by F1 team over ‘serious allegations’ of ‘inappropriate behaviour’
Horner, 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 Friday.
He forced a smile as he was picked up in a chauffeur-driven car from his North London home ahead of the critical hearing.
The probe has threatened to overshadow the start of the new F1 season — with the first practice sessions for the Bahrain Grand Prix taking place on February 29.
Horner has been boss of the team since January 2005 and present at all their F1 races, winning a total of 13 world titles.
On Wednesday, former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone denied reports that he encouraged Horner to quit after the allegations.
Ecclestone, who is close friends with Horner, labelled the reports as incorrect on his social media.
But F1 insiders do not “expect him to survive in his role”, according to BBC Sport.
The investigation also raises the question of who could take over the helm of the all-conquering racing team of Verstappen.
However, an F1 source told The Sun that “Christian has not been sacked or asked to resign and he is not going to resign”.
They also revealed the investigation is nowhere near it’s end – with it potentially dragging into the new F1 season.
The insider said: “This is not a trial and we are not going to have an answer and an outcome by the end of the day.
“This is not something that is going to be rectified that quickly.
“People are expecting this to be over before the start of the F1 season, but that just isn’t going to happen.”
Horner’s Spice Girl wife Geri, 51, is understood to be standing by her husband, who she married in 2015.
She has told pals: “Christian has done nothing wrong.”
And Horner is said to have privately vowed to his friends he will “clear his name and come through this,” a source told the Daily Mail.
However, the scandal engulfing her husband has blown a “Grand Canyon-sized crack” right in the middle of her “super-perfect, super-posh life,” another source claimed.
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.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Horner was awarded a CBE for services to motor sport 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.
A look at Christian Horner’s life and careerCHRISTIAN 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, beating 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 More