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      F1 boss Christian Horner faces D-Day grilling by lawyer amid claims of ‘vicious power struggle’

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      SPICE Girl Geri Halliwell’s F1 boss husband will face a D-Day grilling on Friday amid claims of a vicious power struggle.Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner is due to be probed by a lawyer over shock allegations of “inappropriate behaviour”.
      Red Bull boss Christian Horner is due to be probed by a lawyer over shock allegationsCredit: Getty
      Wife Geri, 51, is standing by Horner, 50, who denies the allegationsCredit: Getty
      Horner with Red Bull’s three-time F1 world champ Max VerstappenCredit: Getty
      Sources say the investigation is set to centre on a female employee’s concerns about Horner’s strict work regime and does not relate to any sexual impropriety.
      An F1 source told The Sun: “Christian had concerns about her conduct and made it clear he was unhappy.
      “She went on to make a complaint about his ‘controlling’ behaviour, which detonated this crisis for the team.”
      One F1 source claimed a deliberate attempt was being made to destabilise Horner. Rumours of a power struggle have dogged Red Bull Racing since the death of his ally and billionaire co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022.
      READ MORE ON CHRISTIAN HORNER
      Last year, Horner played down rumours of a rift with adviser Helmut Marko, 80, as a “small difference of opinion”.
      Wife Geri, 51, is standing by Horner, 50, who denies the allegations.
      An independent lawyer appointed to examine the woman’s claims will quiz him at a UK meeting on Friday.
      Neither Horner nor his accuser have been suspended and continue to work among 1,600 employees at the Austrian team’s HQ in Milton Keynes, Bucks.
      Most read in Motorsport
      Another source said: “It’s an awkward situation but it’s unavoidable until the air is cleared and this matter is resolved.”
      Red Bull is said to want the issue sorted out before the first race meeting of the new F1 season, which starts in Bahrain at the end of the month.
      Since Horner took over as team principal in 2005, Red Bull has won seven F1 world drivers’ championships and six world constructors’ titles. Top driver Max Verstappen is current world champion.
      Red Bull Racing referred all inquiries to its Austrian HQ yesterday. A spokesman said: “It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
      When asked about allegations made against Horner, his rival team boss at Williams, James Vowles, said: “I think it means we all have to look each other in the mirror and make sure we are posing the right questions internally and acting in a way that we can only be proud of, not today but in the next ten years.”
      Max Verstappen’s race engineer admits ‘biggest fear’ he’s ‘not looking forward to’ after Red Bull’s dominant F1 season More

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      Shock ‘contract clause could see Red Bull lose ANOTHER key man’ if Christian Horner is sacked by F1 team

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      RED BULL RACING could potentially lose another key man if Christian Horner departs due to a contract clause, claims a shock report.Motorsports was rocked on Monday when an investigation was launched into team boss Horner over allegations of “inappropriate behaviour”.
      Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner has denied the shock allegations against himCredit: PA
      Adrian Newey, the chief technical officer of Red Bull, could also potentially depart, reports claimCredit: Getty
      The Formula One team are looking into claims made against the 50-year-old by an employee of the company.
      Horner, the husband of Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, has “completely” denied the claims made against him.
      Sources say the allegation concerns Horner’s strict work regime rather than sexual impropriety.
      But Red Bull, who boast the current world champion Max Verstappen as their star man, said it “takes these matters extremely seriously” as an independent investigation was launched.
      READ MORE ON CHRISTIAN HORNER
      Horner, who earns an estimated salary of £8million at Red Bull, and the team have been preparing for the 2024 season.
      But the team’s plans could have been thrown into turmoil following these explosive allegations.
      And F1 journalist Joe Saward has now taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to claim that things could get even worse.
      He speculated over the future of Red Bull’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey amid the Horner controversy.
      Most read in Motorsport
      He wrote: “It has long been believed that Christian Horner and Adrian Newey have contracts that protect one another.
      “If one leaves the other can as well.
      “This has never been confirmed – but it makes for an interesting dynamic if something was to happen to Horner…”
      Did Charles Leclerc drop secret hint about Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari from Mercedes in awkward interview LAST YEAR?
      The 65-year-old Newey has been with the team since 2006.
      The first race of the upcoming campaign is in Bahrain on March 2.
      Horner has been leading the Milton Keynes-based Red Bull since their arrival on the grid in 2005 and has overseen a huge period of success.
      Red Bull has won seven drivers’ championships and six constructors’ championships under him and they won 21 of the 22 races as Verstappen claimed the drivers’ title last season.
      Away from the track, Horner married Geri, 51, in 2015 and they have one child together, Montague, seven.
      Horner is also stepdad to Geri’s daughter Bluebell Madonna, 17, and has another daughter, Olivia, 10, from a previous relationship with ex-partner Beverley Allen.
      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, 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

      🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

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      Red Bull boss Christian Horner faces crunch meeting on Friday after ‘inappropriate behaviour’ accusations by colleague

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      CHRISTIAN Horner is set to face a crunch meeting over allegations of “inappropriate behaviour”.The Red Bull Racing chief, 50, is being investigated over claims made by a female colleague.
      Red Bull boss Christian Horner is under investigation over allegations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’Credit: Getty
      Max Verstappen and Horner pose after the Qatar Grand Prix in October last yearCredit: Getty
      The female staffer is understood to have complained about Horner – pictured with wife Geri – to the team’s parent company at Red Bull in AustriaCredit: PA
      Horner tied the knot with Geri, 51, in 2015 and have one child togetherCredit: Instagram / gerihalliwellhorner
      Horner, who is married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and runs the team of world champion Max Verstappen, said: “I completely deny these claims.”
      The woman is understood to have complained to the team’s parent company at Red Bull in Austria about “inappropriate behaviour”.
      Horner is now the focus of a probe being run by an independent lawyer appointed to examine her allegations.
      The F1 chief will be quizzed on Friday by an investigator instructed by Red Bull in Austria.
      Read more on Horner
      It is understood the hearing will take place in the UK.
      F1 sources said the allegations against Horner could jeopardise his position at the helm of the Red Bull team.
      On Tuesday, Horner fulfilled his work schedule as planned.
      He’s expected to be in the office on Wednesday as Red Bull prepare their F1 car for the 2024 season – set to be launched on February 15.
      Most read in Motorsport
      He was preparing for Red Bull’s defence of their championship titles when news of the colleague’s accusation against him broke.
      The internal investigation has rocked the F1 operation ahead of the new season – which kicks off in Bahrain on March 2.
      Horner has won 13 titles with the Milton Keynes-based team – and has a notoriously-high worth ethic and expects similar from his staff.
      His drive has seen the team achieve considerable success since he joined in 2005.
      He set about signing key employees to achieve success – including design whizz Andrian Newey, who joined from McLaren the following year, and Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley, from Benetton.
      60 Second News Briefing – Christian Horner investigated and Taylor Swift Grammy’s win
      Newey, F1’s greatest designer, has formed a strong partnership with Horner and there has been a long-standing rumour that the two’s contracts are linked, binding both with the team.
      Red Bull Racing are looking to defend their constructors and drivers’ championship titles in the 2024 season.
      But before the investigation was revealed, it is understood trouble was already brewing beneath the surface at Red Bull Racing.
      Rumours of an unrelated power struggle within the team’s leadership have swirled since the death of co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022.
      After the billionaire’s death, Red Bull drafted in a new board of directors to oversee the business.
      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, reports the Telegraph.
      Formula 1 reporter Erik van Haren said the power struggle appears to be coming to a “climax now”.
      The next step will depend on the outcome of Friday’s meeting and the support of Red Bull’s Thai owner.
      Wife Geri, 51, was standing by him last night, telling pals she does not believe gossip that has been swirling for days.
      A source close to the Ginger Spice star said: “Geri has been in floods of tears all weekend while looking after her kids.
      “She is insisting Christian has done nothing wrong.”
      Red Bull Racing’s Austria-based parent company said: “After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation.
      “This process, which is already under way, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister.
      “The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
      A Red Bull Racing source said: “Nothing further is being added to ensure the integrity of the investigation is respected.”
      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, 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

      Horner and his colleague Dr Helmut MarkoCredit: Getty
      Max Verstappen and Horner before the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November 2022Credit: Getty
      Horner with wife Geri Halliwell last FebruaryCredit: PA More

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      Christian Horner went from failed driver to youngest F1 boss…but whirlwind wedding to wife Geri Horner caused family row

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      RED Bull boss Christian Horner is well used to steering himself through personal crises.The F1 boss, 50, who is facing accusations of “controlling behaviour” from a female colleague, fell out with his parents after he left the mother of his first child and got engaged to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, 51.
      Red Bull F1 chief Christian Horner with wife Geri HalliwellCredit: Getty
      Spice Girl Geri and Christian on their wedding dayCredit: Splash News
      His mum and dad didn’t attend the couple’s star studded wedding in 2015, reportedly because they were upset about him leaving his partner of 14 years, Beverley Allen.
      Eventually, though, Christian managed to patch things up with both Beverley and his parents.
      The controversial Red Bull boss has also rowed with rival F1 bosses – and there is reportedly an ongoing feud with Mercedes’ racing chief Toto Wolff.
      It stems from accusations that Red Bull broke budget rules and benefitted from rule bending when their driver Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to the F1 championship in 2021.
      Read More on F1
      Christian also had to overcome the failure of his own career as a racing driver, quitting at 25.
      He did so by borrowing money and putting his energy into establishing his own team.
      The hard-working team boss is said to have never missed a day at the track, even for the birth of his first child.
      Now there are rumours of a power struggle within Red Bull, a battle that could be Christian’s toughest yet.
      Most read in Motorsport
      Christian with his ex, Beverley AllenCredit: Desmond O’Neill Features Ltd
      The Austrian company has hired an independent barrister to investigate claims of “inappropriate behaviour” by the F1 chief.
      Multi-millionaire Christian has denied the allegations and is expected to stay on as boss while the probe is carried out.
      Geri Horner threw celeb-packed 50th birthday bash – but one Spice Girl did not attend
      He’s sure to do everything to hold onto his role, having once said: “I never struggle for motivation. Motivation is something that burns within. 
      “I think winning becomes addictive. It’s the fear of failure that drives all of us at Red Bull.
      “Formula One is such a competitive business that you can’t afford to miss a beat.” 
      Driven dreams
      Christian, from Leamington Spa in Warwickshire, was born into a world of cars, with his wealthy father Garry owning a business that supplied parts to motor manufacturers.
      One of three brothers, he was privately educated and got the racing bug after persuading his parents to buy him a go-kart at the age of 11.
      He said:  “I left school at 18, I didn’t go to university, my focus was very much on racing and forging a career as a driver.”
      Christian aged 20 at the start of his racing careerCredit: Getty
      Christian in British Formula 3 at Silverstone in 1995Credit: Getty
      Aged 19 he started competing for Manor Racing in the British Formula Renault Championship.
      He worked his way up the field to Formula F3000, considered to be the final step to reaching Formula 1.
      But when Juan Pablo Montoya, who progressed to F1, came past him on a very fast corner, Christian realised he didn’t have the right psychological mentality for the daredevil sport.
      He admitted: “The commitment he had, was one I knew my brain and foot just wouldn’t be able to do. I recognised that I wasn’t prepared to take that risk.”
      Team boss
      Aged 25 he quit racing and focused on running the Arden team he’d already set up using borrowed money. 
      For a brief time Arden were part-funded from Russian oil company Lukoil, whose oligarch founder is currently on the UK sanctions list.
      His success at Arden convinced Red Bull to make him the youngest ever F1 team chief in January 2005, with Christian aged just 31.
      I recognised that I wasn’t prepared to take that riskChristian Horner
      He proved to be a dynamic and committed boss.
      Christian promised to jump into a swimming pool in just a Superman cape when the team achieved its first F1 podium, and did exactly that after the car finished in the top three at Monaco in 2006.
      Four years later Red Bull won both its first F1 Constructors Championship and driver’s championship, with a young Sebastian Vettel taking the title.
      Family fall out
      Christian and Geri met thanks to a shared passion for F1Credit: Getty
      Geri’s daughter Bluebell (l), son Monty centre and Christian’s daughter Olivia (r)Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      In his home life things appeared to be settled, with Christian living in a Northamptonshire mansion with his former pub landlady partner Beverley Allen, who is six years his senior.
      He was stepdad to Beverley’s two children, Kieron, 35, and Liam, 31, and the couple were keen to have a child of their own.
      That dream came true when Beverley gave birth to Olivia in October 2013, although Christian couldn’t be there to see his daughter arrive because he was with Red Bull in Japan.
      He said at the time: “I think being a father will be more of a challenge than running a team of over 500 people, but I am looking forward to it.”
      But six months later Christian split from Beverley after 14 years together.
      I think being a father will be more of a challenge than running a team of over 500 people, but I am looking forward to itChristian Horner
      Shortly afterwards in March 2014, he was dating Geri, and by November the couple announced in The Times newspaper that they were engaged.
      Geri had long been an F1 fan and they met through a shared love for motorsport.
      The whirlwind engagement surprised many, because neither Geri, who has a daughter Bluebell, now 17, from a former relationship, nor Christian had previously walked down the aisle.
      It was not welcomed by Christian’s parents Garry and Sara, who refused to attend the wedding at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire in May 2015.
      Prior to the nuptials a family member said: “You can say that his parents are absolutely devastated. We won’t be going to the wedding.
      “There is a lot more to this story than people know about – to do with his ex-partner.”
      Healing process
      But Christian managed to heal the family rift by getting back on friendly terms with Beverley.
      In an interview last year he revealed: “I have a great relationship with Beverley, and Beverley gets on with Geri, and Geri is great with Olivia and Olivia has a lovely relationship with Monty.
      “It’s totally harmonious.”
      You can say that his parents are absolutely devastated. We won’t be going to the weddingFamily member
      Monty is Geri and Christian’s seven year-old son. The couple live in a mansion in Oxfordshire with a stable for 14 horses, and Geri is a devoted wife.
      She said in 2015: “I do cook for him, I do like to see that he’s happy. When I go to the Formula 1 races, I’m not about all the glamour.
      “I never thought I’d meet the man who I knew I would be with always. I can be myself with him, I can breathe out. I don’t ever want to get divorced.”
      Trouble ahead
      Christian jumped in a pool in just a Superman capeCredit: Twitter/Planet_F1
      Christian celebrating Red Bull’s championship success in 2012Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      That relaxed family life is in contrast to the stressful world of Formula 1.
      Christian, said to be worth £41million, is known to swear and has admitted to not being on friendly terms with rival Wolff.
      He said: “I’ve never been a believer that you can be the best mate with your competitor. I think it’s dishonest.”
      When Verstappen beat Hamilton to the 2021 F1 championship, he blurted out “Mercedes f****d up.”
      Everything seemed rosy for Christian, who was awarded a CBE in December and was sung to by pals Gary Barlow, Sir Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood at his 50th birthday.
      His Red Bull Team dominated last year’s F1 championship and are favourites to do the same this year.
      I’ve never been a believer that you can be the best mate with your competitor. I think it’s dishonestChristian Horner
      But the death of his mentor and Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in October 2022 is rumoured to have created a power struggle.
      After the billionaire’s death, Red Bull drafted in a new board of directors to oversee the business, and 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 went as far as to suggest Horner was determined to get rid of Marko, 80, from the team, reports the Telegraph.
      The former professional driver has overseen the Red Bull driver development programme since 2005 and was a driving force in bringing Verstappen to the team.
      But speculation was played down, with Horner only acknowledging there had been a “small difference of opinion” between himself and Marko.
      Red Bull is now investigating the allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” against Christian, with the internal inquiry reportedly leaving Geri in “floods of tears”.
      She was standing by her husband last night, telling pals she does not believe gossip that has been swirling for days.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Red Bull issued a statement saying: “After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation.
      “The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
      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, 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

      Christian with showbiz pals at his 50th birthdayCredit: Instagram
      Geri and Christian on holidayCredit: Instagram
      Christian and Geri have horse stables at their homeCredit: Instagram
      Christian with Geri and her Spice Girl pals, along with Rylan More

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      Inside reeling Red Bull Racing with ‘power struggle between Christian Horner and bosses’ amid shock ‘behaviour’ probe

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      ALLEGATIONS of “inappropriate behaviour” against F1 boss Christian Horner come amid a power struggle at Red Bull Racing.Horner, 50, was locked in a meeting over preparations for Red Bull’s defence of their championship titles when news of a female colleague’s accusation against him broke.
      Horner with wife Geri Halliwell last FebruaryCredit: PA
      Max Verstappen and Horner before the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November 2022Credit: Getty
      Horner and his colleague Dr Helmut Marko at a Grand PrixCredit: Getty
      The woman is understood to have complained to the team’s parent company at Red Bull in Austria about “inappropriate behaviour”.
      Horner, 50, is now the focus of a probe being run by an independent lawyer appointed to examine her allegations.
      And he faces a hearing into the allegations on Friday as the F1 champs insist they are taking the claims “extremely seriously”.
      The F1 chief, who is married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and runs the all-conquering team of world champion Max Verstappen, said: “I completely deny these claims.”
      READ MORE ON F1
      F1 sources said the allegations against Horner could jeopardise his position at the helm of the Red Bull team.
      Red Bull Austria issued a statement on the investigation while Horner was in a meeting in London on Monday.
      According to The Times, Red Bull Racing’s team office in Milton Keynes repeatedly denied the allegation of a complaint against Horner just a day earlier on Sunday.
      On Monday, Red Bull’s Global Headquarters in Austria put out a statement without notifying officials at the F1 team first.
      Most read in Motorsport
      But before the investigation was revealed, it is understood trouble was already brewing beneath the surface at Red Bull Racing.
      Rumours of an unrelated power struggle within the team’s leadership have swirled since the death of co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022.
      After the billionaire’s death, Red Bull drafted in a new board of directors to oversee the business.
      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, reports the Telegraph.
      Christian Horner reveals what happened onboard £20million yacht after Max Verstappen won first F1 title
      The former professional driver has overseen the Red Bull driver development programme since 2005 and was a driving force in bringing Max Verstappen to the team.
      But speculation was played down, with Horner only acknowledging there had been a “small difference of opinion” between himself and Marko.
      He even suggested rumours may have been fanned by opponents, adding: “As we’ve tied up both championships, there’s not a lot to be talking about, so it’s very easy for others to wind the situation up.”
      But Marko hinted at an internal wrangle when he commented: “I have a contract until the end of 2024 and in the end it’s the shareholders’ decision, not Christian Horner’s, and in the end it’s me who decides.”
      Formula 1 reporter Erik van Haren said the power struggle appears to be coming to a “climax now”.
      He told De Telegraaf: “[Horner and Marko] become more and more like water and fire.
      “Although, of course, in the publicity they pretend that nothing is wrong.
      “Horner is, of course, the team principal and the CEO of Red Bull Racing. More than a thousand people work there. Super important for the operational side of the whole story.
      “However, it is of course known to all Formula 1 connoisseurs that Helmut Marko, the Austrian, pulls the big picture. So he decides who sits in those seats.
      “And yes, Horner might be the guy who would like to do that too, but Helmut is the guy who makes the big decisions.
      “So if you were to ask Max Verstappen, the most important man in that team, with a knife to your throat, if you had to choose between Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, you would always choose Helmut.”
      Horner was appointed Team Principal of Red Bull’s F1 team in 2005, and has bagged 13 world titles along the way.
      Wife Geri, 51, was standing by him last night, telling pals she does not believe gossip that has been swirling for days.
      Red Bull Racing’s Austria-based parent company said yesterday: “After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation.
      “This process, which is already under way, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister.
      “The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible.
      “It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      A Red Bull Racing source said: “Nothing further is being added to ensure the integrity of the investigation is respected.”
      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, 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

      Christian Horner, pictured last August, has been accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ towards a female colleagueCredit: PA

      Horner and Marko with their two drivers 3-time champ Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezCredit: Getty More

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      F1 introduce major rule change for 2024 season and fans absolutely love it… but don’t think Max Verstappen will

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      A HOST of new rules have been announced by Formula One to the delight of fans – but they do not think Max Verstappen will be happy.F1 management met at their London offices today with the likes of FIA Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis and Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali in attendance.
      Fans fear Max Verstappen won’t like a new rule change in F1Credit: Splash
      And they have now announced a number of plans that they hope will make for much more thrilling race weekends.
      However, as fans exclaimed their delight at the announcements, some cheekily claimed that the defending world champ Verstappen would not be best pleased by them.
      In a bid to try and encourage more overtaking, the DRS (drag reduction system) would now be activated after just one lap of a start or restart.
      That is rather than the two laps that had previously been the case.
      READ MORE ON F1
      And it was that change that had some race supporters trolling the Red Bull star, whose car has usually been tearing away and clear of the rest by the time it was previously allowed.
      One responded with: “Hopefully Max won’t be able to pull away before DRS.”
      “This might reduce max pulling away by one lap,” said another one.
      As a third declared: “All this to help [Lewis] Hamilton win his 8th.”
      Most read in Motorsport
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      The new season will also see a reshuffle in the Sprint Race weekend schedule.
      The Free Practice 1 and Sprint Qualifying has shifted to Friday with both the Sprint and Grand Prix Qualifying on Saturday while the Grand Prix will culminate on Sunday still.
      Max Verstappen’s glam Wag Kelly Piquet risks wardrobe malfunction braless in open jacket as fans say ‘girl, you slay’
      Additionally, there will also be an increase in Power Unit allocations to four per driver for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. That is aimed at accommodating the increased demands of the revised format.

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      New Stake F1 team’s bold car divides fans with design compared to ‘cross between a ninja turtle and transformer’

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      MOTORSPORT fans are split like never before – after a new team’s F1 car was labelled a “cross between a ninja turtle and transformer”.Opinions on the lean, lime machine unveiled by the Stake F1 Team varied from “hideous” to “I love it”.
      Zhou Guanyu, and team-mate Valtteri Bottas might get into an incredible sulk over some views on the C44, but there was also praise for the new green lookCredit: AP
      A close-up view gives F1 lovers much to mull overCredit: AP
      Stake F1 Team technical director James Key explains details of the carCredit: PA
      And if points are given for flowery descriptions then the Sauber-backed team would zoom up the constructors’ table from sorry also-rans under their 2023  Alfa Romeo sponsorship to serious title contenders this year.
      Sauber say the C44 car is “a marked departure from its predecessor” with a “slew of changes”.
      One alteration could be particularly important – from push-rod to pull-rod suspension.
      The C44 also has new-look revised sidepods and engine cover as well as a different floor.
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      As well as all that, Sauber are promising “important updates” early in the season, which starts in Bahrain on March 2.
      But one thing will stay the same for the third year – with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu retained as the team drivers.
      However, despite the stability behind the wheel, there was uncertainty from F1 fans over the C44’s startling appearance.
      One race-lover compared it to something presumably never seen before – a blend of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the ever-changing robotic movie heroes The Transformers.
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      Another said: “This could very well be one of the most awful-looking F1 cars to ever exist.”
      A third joked: “Who was the lucky ten year old winner of the competition?”
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      And a fourth suggested that at least it might be quite smart in a surprising way as he wrote: “Looks like Asda’s new uniform lol.”
      But if Sauber went shopping for compliments they would find praise such as: “Looks like the way I do my liveries on the F1 game. I love it!”
      “Looks great, I really like it,” said another admirer.
      And amongst the fierce two-way traffic of opinion, one fan sat alone on the barriers as he wrote: “I don’t hate it…”

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      Guanyu and Bottas will race together for the third year in a rowCredit: AP More

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      Geri Horner in ‘floods of tears’ over Red Bull boss hubby Christian as he faces allegations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’

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      SPICE Girl Geri Halliwell’s F1 boss hubby is being investigated over claims of “inappropriate behaviour” towards a female colleague.Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner, 50, is the focus of a probe being run by an independent lawyer appointed to examine her allegations.
      Red Bull boss Christian Horner is under investigation over allegations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ – pictured with wife GeriCredit: Getty
      The Red Bull chief pictured with world champion Max VerstappenCredit: Getty
      The female staffer is understood to have complained about Horner to the team’s parent company at Red Bull in AustriaCredit: AFP
      News of the allegations broke yesterday as the team boss was locked in preparations for Red Bull’s defence of their championship titlesCredit: Getty
      Horner, who runs the all-conquering team of world champion Max Verstappen, said: “I completely deny these claims.”
      News of the allegations broke yesterday as the team boss was locked in preparations for Red Bull’s defence of their championship titles.
      Given Horner’s high-ranking position, the woman staffer is understood to have complained to the team’s parent company at Red Bull in Austria.
      Staff at the team’s UK base, in Milton Keynes, Bucks, claimed to have no knowledge of the allegations when approached yesterday.
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      Wife Geri, 51, was standing by him last night, telling pals she does not believe gossip that has been swirling for days.
      A source close to the Ginger Spice star said: “Geri has been in floods of tears all weekend while looking after her kids.
      “She is insisting Christian has done nothing wrong.”
      Red Bull Racing’s Austria-based parent company said yesterday: “After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation.
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      “This process, which is already under way, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister.
      “The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible.
      “It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
      F1 sources said the allegations against Horner could jeopardise his position at the helm of the Red Bull team.
      He was said to be locked in an F1 Commission meeting all day yesterday and aides stressed he would not be making any further comment.
      A Red Bull Racing source said: “Nothing further is being added to ensure the integrity of the investigation is respected.
      The couple at the Royal Artillery Point to Point at Larkhill in Wiltshire on January 27Credit: Splash
      Horner and wife Geri pose with several famous musicians including Gary Barlow and Rod Stewart at his 50th birthday bash
      “Christian has issued a denial and we’re hoping for a swift and speedy resolution.”
      Former racing driver Horner married Geri at a church wedding in Woburn, Beds, in 2015 after a year-long engagement.
      He has a seven-year-old son with Geri and a daughter from a previous relationship.
      Geri also has a 17-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.
      Since Leamington Spa-born Horner took over as team principal in 2005, Red Bull has won seven Formula 1 world drivers’ championships and six world constructors’ titles.
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      Last season, Red Bull won 21 of the 22 races on the global F1 tour, with 26-year-old Verstappen the runaway winner of the drivers’ crown.
      F1 sources claimed the investigation had been launched amid a power struggle at the F1 team following the death of Red Bull co-founder and Horner ally Dietrich Mateschitz.
      Spice Girl Geri Horner posts loved-up message to husband Christian as Red Bull F1 boss turns 50A look at 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

      Horner tied with knot with Geri in 2015 and they have one child together
      The couple pictured at the Larkhill Royal Artillery Point to Point on January 27Credit: Splash
      Geri threw a surprise 50th birthday bash for Christian in DecemberCredit: Instagram
      Horner lives a life of luxury in the country with his familyCredit: Instagram
      Horner poses on the grounds of his Oxfordshire farmhouse with son MontagueCredit: Instagram
      The Horners show off their horses and have their own stableCredit: Instagram
      Geri and her husband pose at the premiere of Ferrari in London on December 4Credit: AFP More