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      Max Verstappen speaks out on Christian Horner as Red Bull F1 chief cleared of misconduct following ‘sexts probe’

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN refused to be drawn into a debate over the future of Red Bull boss Christian Horner – swerving questions about their relationship.Horner was cleared of wrongdoing following an internal investigation focusing on alleged “coercive behaviour”.
      Max Verstappen would not comment on the results of the probeCredit: Rex
      Horner is likely to find out the result of Red Bull’s investigation soonCredit: Getty
      The investigation was launched following a complaint from a female member of staff.
      The 50-year-old was en-route to Bahrain for the opening race of the season earlier today, with many inside the paddock already seeing this as a clue he had been given the green light to continue in his role as team boss of the Red Bull Racing team.
      Horner strongly denied the allegations and complied fully with the internal investigation which had been headed up by the energy drink’s Austrian HQ.
      Verstappen faced several questions from the media ahead of the Bahrain GP centering on the internal investigation and said it would not affect his performance.
      READ MORE ON F1
      He said: “It doesn’t [affect me]. I’m very focused on just the performance of the car, myself, and hopefully it will just be resolved very soon.
      “It’s a whole team effort, everyone has to stick together, and work towards more success. That’s why it’s important of course to get everything resolved very soon.”
      When asked by SunSport if he was 100 percent behind Horner, Verstappen said: “Well, I’m trusting the process, that’s what’s happening right now.
      “When you talk about performance, it’s of course very important that everyone sticks together.”
      Most read in Motorsport
      He was then asked for some more information on the process that Horner is going through and whether he had “full confidence in his team principal”.
      He added: “I do not want to get into that. Because it’s not my case anyway, and I don’t want to be involved with that.
      Christian & Geri Horner Mansions
      “But as a team, yeah, we do trust that process and we just have to be patient, because there’s no need to start saying things, start screaming things out loud.
      “You have to be patient. I think I’ve learned that over the years anyway.”
      Horner has been with Red Bull Racing since January 2005 and overseen their phenomenal rise.
      He has won 13 titles, including both the constructors’ and drivers’ championships last season, with Verstappen taking his third world crown.
      Verstappen admitted Horner was crucial to the success of the team and said he would have been missed if he was dismissed from his post.
      He said: “He’s very important, otherwise he wouldn’t be in that position right for such a long time.
      “Let’s say if your team boss disappears for whatever reason for one or two races, not much is going to happen, because everyone is in their role and they know what they have to do in the short term, but it’s all about people management over time.
      “And then of course things will start to be different, if one of the leaders starts to not be there any more.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “But we are not thinking like that. Like I said before, we just trust the process that we are in as a team of course, to see what the outcome will be.
      “Besides that, at the moment, everyone is just very focused on the performance here at the track, and everyone is in a good mood and just excited to get going again.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton has his say on Christian Horner ‘sext probe’ as F1 legend calls it ‘important moment for the sport’

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      LEWIS HAMILTON says the pending decision on Christian Horner’s future is an “important moment for the sport”.The Red Bull boss is expected to be CLEARED of inappropriate behaviour and remain in control of the F1 team.
      A female at Red Bull has complained about Christian Horner’s behaviourCredit: Getty
      Lewis Hamilton has had his say on accusations about Christian HornerCredit: PA
      Horner is at the centre of a complaint from a female member off staff amid accusations of inappropriate behaviour.
      The 50-year-old has denied the accusations and complied with the internal investigation being run by Red Bull’s Austria HQ.
      Hamilton, 39, was asked about how the situation is being handled prior to any official announcement.
      And he said teams have a responsibility to take any allegation seriously.
      READ MORE IN F1
      Hamilton said: “We always have to do more to try to make the sport and the environment and people’s work feel safe and inclusive, and any allegations have to be taken very seriously.
      “Obviously we don’t know everything that’s gone on.
      “But it does need to be resolved as it’s hanging over the sport, and it’ll be really interesting to see how it’s dealt with.
      “Moving forward, in terms of the effect it may or may not have on the sport.
      Most read in Motorsport
      “I think it’s a really important moment for the sport to make sure that we stand true to our values.”
      The F1 season gets underway this season in Bahrain.
      Christian & Geri Horner Mansions
      It will be Hamilton’s last with Mercedes before he joins Ferrari in 2025. More

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

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      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. 
      Christian Horner pictured ahead of practice in Nevada in November 2023Credit: Reuters
      Horner leads the all-conquering racing team of world champion Max VerstappenCredit: Getty
      Horner with wife Geri, who he married in 2015Credit: Getty
      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.
      Read more on Horner
      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.
      Most read in Motorsport
      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”.
      Christian Horner makes FIRST public appearance since bombshell ‘inappropriate behaviour’ claims at Red Bull F1 launch
      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.”

      It comes as…

      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.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      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.
      Spice Girl Geri Halliwell has spent a day at the races with her husband on SundayCredit: christianhorner/Instagram
      Verstappen and Horner the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar in October 2023Credit: Getty
      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

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      Christian Horner flies to Bahrain for F1 season opener as Red Bull boss expected to learn fate over ‘sexts probe’ TODAY

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      CHRISTIAN Horner is flying to Bahrain ahead of the F1 season opener as he awaits the outcome of an investigation into his behaviour.It is understood the embattled Red Bull Racing chief, 50, will find out his fate today following an internal probe.
      Christian Horner pictured on February 22Credit: Getty
      Horner shares a laugh with world champion Max Verstappen at pre-season testingCredit: Getty
      Horner 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 has vehemently denied all claims that threaten his position as leader of the all-conquering team of world champion Max Verstappen.
      It is widely expected the result of the probe – being handled by the energy drink’s HQ in Austria – will be revealed today as his position at the team’s helm hangs in the balance.
      More on Christian Horner
      Over the three-week process of the probe, the message from within the team has been that it is “business as usual”.
      And that stance has not changed as Horner, who is not believed to know the outcome of the investigation, is today jetting out to the island, Sky Sports reports.
      It is reported he will not be present for the media day today, but is due in the paddock for practice tomorrow.
      But The Sun this week told how the full report on the probe may be kept secret by Red Bull.
      Most read in Motorsport
      Horner was present at the pre-season testing in Bahrain last week and Red Bull’s 2024 car launch days prior.
      Last week, Horner addressed the new bombshell probe and declared he wanted a conclusion as “soon as possible”.
      Christian & Geri Horner Mansions
      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.
      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.
      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 February 9.
      He is said to have privately vowed to his friends he will “clear his name and come through this,” a source told the Daily Mail.
      Horner joined Red Bull Racing in 2005 and is the sport’s longest-serving team principal.
      The F1 chief has overseen a huge period of success for the racing team – winning multiple F1 championships with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.
      The bombshell claims that have rocked F1F1 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

      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.
      Should he quit his role, Red Bull would be seeking a replacement to lead their defence of the two titles they won in 2023, with Max Verstappen winning his third world championship.
      But F1 insiders say the probe has already caused “loss of image” to the team.
      Ex-F1 team owner Eddie Jordan told F1-Insider.com: “I have experienced many wrong decisions.
      “But the Red Bull situation is the most absurd thing I’ve ever seen. Of course, there is initially the presumption of innocence for Horner.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “But does anyone seriously believe that the employee made up her mind about the allegations?
      “If Horner is innocent, is she guilty? Red Bull’s loss of image is already huge. Someone has to pull the ripcord now.”
      Horner with wife Geri HalliwellCredit: GettyA 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

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      Terrifying moment 18-year-old racer crashes 590-horsepower superboat at high speed as it flips and bursts into flames

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      THIS WAS the moment that two superboat racers were fortunate to escape with their lives after a terrifying crash.The shock incident occurred at Griffith in New South Wales at the Australian championships last weekend.
      Two superboat racers were lucky to escape alive after a terrifying crashCredit: 9 News Australia
      The shock incident happened in Australia when Nate Mullan, 18, flipped the boat on the last cornerCredit: 9 News Australia
      Nate Mullan, 18, and his navigator were leading their V8 Superboats Championship race when their 590-horsepower boat came off course on the last corner.
      They flipped out of the water and onto the grass with the navigator quickly managing to escape the rubble.
      However, Mullan only emerged from the upside-down boat as it became engulfed in flames.
      Terrified spectators could hear the PA commentator shout over the tannoy: “Have we got them both out? I can’t quite see.
      READ MORE ON SPORT
      “I think we have. Get the buckets, guys. Where’s some more extinguishers?”
      The superboat was completely destroyed in the crash, but Phonsy Mullan, a fellow racer and Nate’s father, was just happy to see two youngsters escape with their lives.
      He told Channel Seven: “At the end of the day the boat can be replaced. The boys can’t be. That’s the biggest thing.”
      He later provided an update on social media, writing on Facebook: “We certainly had a mixed fortune of events on the weekend Racing.
      Most read in Motorsport
      “Ultimately all are ok with some mild concussion symptoms and neck injuries (Navi copped some groin treatment).
      “While Myself and Bastian had wins Nate nearly pulled off a win but ran off the track in the last corner.
      West Ham fans delayed getting to Craven Cottage for Fulham clash as boat CRASHES into Hammersmith Bridge
      “A reasonable impact but only a 4-5K damage. That was until a fire started and that burnt the boat down to the ground. A total loss.”
      The team is now looking to try and get a replacement boat in time for the next race, which is less than a month away.
      Nate and his brother Bastian have created a GoFundMe page in order to try and raise the targeted £41,120.
      And that also provided more details about the scary accident.
      They wrote in the description of the page: “Thankfully both driver and navigator are ok but if they did not get themselves out of the boat in the seconds they had , they would not have been here to tell the story.”
      The two escaped the upside down boat as it burst in to flamesCredit: GoFundMe More

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      Teen motocross rider narrowly escapes death after shattering face in horror crash that saw her helmet filled with blood

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      A MOTOCROSS rider feels “lucky to be alive” after suffering a horror crash in training that saw her helmet fill with blood.Taylah McCutcheon was knocked unconscious after losing control of her bike and breaking several bones in her face.
      Taylah McCutcheon suffered a horror crash in training
      Teen broke multiple facial injuries in the fall
      She said she feels “lucky to be alive”
      The crash happened on a downhill and with McCutcheon travelling at speed she lost control of the handlebars, so was unable to reach for her brakes, resulting in the 19-year-old falling face first into the bottom of a dirt mound.
      The impact knocked her out but after regaining consciousness McCutcheon managed to crawl to the top of the dirt mound to call for help, as nobody had witnessed the crash.
      Paramedics then gave her treatment and McCutcheon was rushed to The Royal Melbourne Hospital, where she underwent nose surgery after falling in and out of consciousness for an hour and a half.
      The rider, who hails from Queensland, Australia, has been left black and blue after shattering her nose, breaking both eye sockets, left cheekbone, left jaw and her Maxilla – the main facial bone.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      She is set to undergo more surgery to treat her facial injuries with McCutcheon “thankful to still be alive” after revealing her helmet saved her life.
      McCuthceon shared an update on Instagram and thanked those who came to her aid.
      She wrote in the caption: “Grateful to still be here🤍
      “We are still yet to discover what cut my face as it’s still unknown, this is as much information we could gather from what we know as I don’t remember a thing and no one really saw much of it. But thank you once again to everyone who has messaged or called me.
      Most read in Motorsport
      “Especially to every person who was helping me out during my incident, I thank you all more than anything!!
      “There was definitely someone in my corner that day and I’m just blessed to be here. Enjoy every day as it comes.
      ‘They’re racing each other… f***ing hell’, rants F1 star as Lewis Hamilton caught up in bizarre pre-season tussle
      “Will keep everyone updated!”
      McCutcheon’s horror crash comes just a week after fellow Motocross star Jayden Archer, 27, died after attempting a dangerous trick in training.
      McCutcheon is from Queensland, Australia More

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      Eddie Jordan launches scathing attack on Red Bull and Christian Horner & blasts ‘absurd’ sexting probe

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      F1 legend Eddie Jordan has launched a scathing attack on Red Bull over its handling of the Christian Horner sexting probe.The former racing team owner blasted the formal investigation into Horner’s behaviour as “absurd” and said the damage it had done to the team was “already huge”.
      Christian Horner’s future at Red Bull is still hanging in the balance – with a decision expected in 48 hoursCredit: PA
      F1 legend Eddie Jordan blasted the investigation as ‘absurd’ and deeply damaging to Red BullCredit: Getty
      Red Bull has been pushing the message of ‘business as usual’ at pre-season testing in BahrainCredit: Reuters
      Jordan, who founded the now defunct Jordan Grand Prix team which competed from 1991 to 2005, told Red Bull to “pull the ripcord now” and make a decision over Horner’s fate at the team.
      The Red Bull chief, 50, is expected to find out within the next 48 hours if he is out of a job after a three-week probe into controlling behaviour and sexting allegations made by a female colleague.
      Speaking to F1 Insider, Jordan said: “I have experienced many wrong decisions.
      “But the Red Bull situation is the most absurd thing I’ve ever seen.
      read more on christian horner
      “Of course, there is initially the presumption of innocence for Horner. But does anyone seriously believe that the employee made up her mind about the allegations?”
      Jordan, a close friend of Red Bull’s design maestro Adrian Newey, added: “Red Bull’s loss of image is already huge. Someone has to pull the ripcord now.”
      Horner vehemently denies all the allegations and has repeatedly said he hopes for a swift end to the investigation.
      F1 insiders believe the decision will come before the season-opening Grand Prix which first kicks off on Wednesday.
      Most read in Motorsport
      It comes as the full report into the behaviour probe, which is being handled by the energy drink’s HQ in Austria, could be kept secret by Red Bull.
      It is understood that the investigation, which was carried out by a specialist barrister and included an eight-hour grilling on February 9, has now concluded.
      Red Bull chief Christian Horner arrives for press conference ahead of testing for Bahrain Grand Prix
      Yesterday, two-time world champion Max Verstappen spoke out again about the investigation of his racing boss.
      Speaking to reporters at the Milton Keynes launch, he said it will be “nice for everyone” when the investigation is resolved.
      The Red Bull driver added: “So it’s better that I just focus on my own performance because that’s already the day job.
      “But I guess…for everyone, it’s nice, of course, when things are resolved. But that’s the only thing that I can say about that.
      “Everyone who is here, they’re all focusing on the performance of the car, as they should.”
      His statements echo those from inside the Red Bull Racing team whose go-to phrase has been “business as usual” while they wait for a conclusion to the saga.
      The bombshell claims that have rocked F1F1 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

      Horner, who has led the Austrian team since its formation in 2005, oversaw pre-season testing last week in Bahrain and was all smiles as he pictured in the pit lane.
      But other team principals have been calling for greater “transparency” in the world of F1 in the wake of the scandal engulfing Red Bull.
      Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff described it as “an issue for all of Formula One”, while Mclaren chief Zak Brown called the allegations “extremely serious”.
      Brown hoped that they were being handled in a “very transparent way” and “swiftly” as “these are not the headlines that Formula One wants or needs.”
      Since the scandal broke, Horner’s Spice Girl wife Geri Halliwell, 51, has stood by her husband.
      Last weekend, she was pictured smiling alongside Horner, who she married in 2015, at a horse racing event in Badbury Rings, Dorset.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      However, fresh reports say the Spice Girls star is “mortified and angry” over the probe.
      But she has privately insisted her husband, with whom she shares a son, has done nothing wrong.
      Horner shares a laugh with world champion Max Verstappen at pre-season testingCredit: GettyChristian 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, 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

      Geri Halliwell is reportedly ‘mortified and angry’ at the probe into her husband’s behaviourCredit: Getty
      The scandal has overshadowed the gear up to the F1 racing seasonCredit: Getty
      Horner has denied all the allegationsCredit: Getty More

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      in Motorsport

      F1 stars face staggering £855,000 fines as chiefs clamp down – but Lewis Hamilton will refuse to pay

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      FORMULA ONE stars face huge possible fines in the 2024 season after FIA chiefs QUADRUPLED the maximum punishment.The previous maximum penalty that could be imposed on drivers for a serious offence – such as causing a collision – was £214,000 (€250,000).
      Lewis Hamilton has declared he will not pay new FIA fines unless they meet certain conditionsCredit: Rex
      F1 stars now face a maximum penalty fine of €1million under FIA rulesCredit: Getty
      However, drivers could now be slapped with fines as high as £855,000 (€1million).
      These new rules were approved by a World Motorsport Council meeting in Geneva last October.
      The FIA explained the amendment to the International Sporting Code was made as previous rules “do not reflect the current needs of motorsport” after not being reviewed or amended in the 12 years prior.
      Drivers were not consulted about the penalty hike, and many have already voiced dissenting opinions against the change.
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      Following the announcement, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton declared he would refuse to pay the fines unless they met his conditions.
      He said: “We do need to be thinking about the message that sends out to those watching. If they are going to be fined a million, let’s make sure 100 per cent goes to a good cause.
      “It is a lot of money in this industry and there is a lot more we need to do in terms of creating better accessibility and diversity, that’s the only way they’ll get that million from me.”
      The 39-year-old received the heaviest fines of any F1 driver last season with £43,400 (€50,700), including a half suspended €50,000 fine for crossing a live track at the Qatar Grand Prix following a crash with Mercedes team-mate George Russell.
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      Russell, 26, is the director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association also slammed the decision.
      He said: “I think it’s pretty ridiculous that a driver could be fined a million Euros.
      ‘They’re racing each other… f***ing hell’, rants F1 star as Lewis Hamilton caught up in bizarre pre-season tussle
      “In my first year in F1, I was on a five-figure salary and actually lost over six figures in that first year paying for a trainer, flights, an assistant and that’s probably the case for 25 per cent of the grid.
      “We are doing what we love, so not complaining about that but if you fine him a million, I don’t know what’s going to happen.
      “We’ve requested before from FIA to hear where these fines are going towards, what causes. It needs to be invested in grassroots but so far had no response on where that’s going.
      “I would love to get some clarity and transparency, if they truly believe a million fine is worthwhile and going to reinvest into sport, then maybe one of the drivers who earns a lot is happy to pay that, but it seems obscene.
      “We just want transparency and understanding. I think already the fines are getting out of control.
      “Max Verstappen was fined €50,000 for touching a car in Brazil, Lewis being fined €50,000… it feels like these numbers are being plucked out of the air.
      WHO COULD REPLACE HAMILTON AT MERCEDES? Mercedes will have a vacant seat for 2025.
      Here, SunSport’s F1 correspondent Ben Hunt looks at FIVE potential candidates who could replace him and partner George Russell in the Silver Arrows.
      Oscar Piastri – McLaren have sewn up Lando Norris to a new long-term contract that should (in theory) put him out of Mercedes’ reach. However, they are yet to tie down his teammate Piastri, 22. The Aussie has an excellent record and won the Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles before spending a year on the sidelines with Alpine and getting his chance in F1 with McLaren. He impressed on his debut season last year and has the potential to be a world champion.
      Daniel Ricciardo – The experienced driver’s future remains in doubt as he bides his time at Red Bull’s B-team. Ricciardo would be low-hassle and offer some stability but by that time he would be 35. It seems unlikely that they would opt for him at this point in his career, but if he has a good season this year, he could come into the reckoning.
      Kimi Antonelli – You may not have heard of the Italian, but he is mustard. Still only 17, he has won at all the junior categories and has been part of the Mercedes young driver programme since 2019. This season he has been promoted from F4 to F2, where he has been tipped to shine. A good debut season in F2 could sway Mercedes into taking a risk on him for 2025. Antonelli and his family are close to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
      Mick Schumacher – Wolff has always been so incredibly supportive of Schumacher and spoken highly of him, that you’d at least expect him to come into consideration. He knows the team from his role as reserve driver and consequently would get up to speed. But speed is also the problem. He was shocking at Haas and if he really was THAT good, he’d still be driving in F1.
      Alex Albon – A more-sensible choice would be the London-born Albon. A great guy who is also very quick. He has a fantastic relationship with Russell and would be the low-maintenance quick partnership similar to Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas that swept to successive titles. Albon would take little convincing to join from Williams and Mercedes would not need to pay him half of the £50million they were dishing out to Hamilton.

      “There’s a lot greater global issues going on and so much poverty around the world how can a federation make up these fines?
      “I don’t know what you have to do to get a fine of million euros, I don’t know of any sport or profession outside of the corporate world where you can be fined that amount.
      “For me, it sounds obscene and there needs to be a lot more transparency about where these fines are going.
      “There needs to be a much better dialogue between FIA and drivers.”
      Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc argued: “It’s a huge amount of money. I have no idea what deserves a 1m euros penalty, some drivers are making less than that.”
      Meanwhile, RB’s Daniel Ricciardo said it was “scary” and Haas driver Kevin Magnussen added it was “ridiculous”.
      But the FIA point out that while the previous limit was €250,000, no offence had been deemed worthy of issuing the maximum penalty.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      The new F1 season begins this Saturday in Bahrain.
      Sky Sports F1 pundit Ted Kravitz has revealed where he believes the teams rank after pre-season testing, with Kravitz not having the best news for Hamilton and Russell with Mercedes.

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