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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.

      🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  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.
      Read More on Sport
      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.
      Most read in Motorsport
      “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.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      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

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      Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner investigated by F1 team over ‘serious allegations’ of ‘inappropriate behaviour’

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      RED Bull Racing has launched an investigation into team boss Christian Horner over allegations of “inappropriate behaviour”.The Formula One racing team are looking into claims made against Horner, 50, by an employee of the company.
      Red Bull boss Christian Horner is under investigation over allegations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’Credit: AFP
      Horner – who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell – has denied the allegationsCredit: Getty
      The couple at the Royal Artillery at Larkhill in Wiltshire on January 27Credit: Splash
      The Red Bull chief pictured with world champion Max VerstappenCredit: Getty
      Horner and wife Geri pose with several famous musicians at his 50th birthday bash
      According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Horner – who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell – has been accused of “inappropriate behaviour”.
      In response to the allegations, Horner said: “I completely deny these claims.”
      Red Bull, the team of world champion Max Verstappen, said it “takes these matters extremely seriously”.
      A spokesperson said: “After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation.
      Read more on Formula One
      “This process, which is already underway, 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.”
      Horner – who has an estimated salary of £8million at Red Bull – has been preparing for the 2024 season as Red Bull looks to defend their championship titles. 
      Most read in Motorsport
      He described the allegations as “nuts” in a message to Mail Online.
      His defenders reportedly claimed the accusations are part of a plot to oust him within the team in an internal power struggle.
      Last season, the team won 21 of the 22 races as Verstappen claimed the drivers’ title.
      Horner has led Milton Keynes-based Red Bull since their arrival on the grid in 2005 – and has overseen a period of huge success for the team.
      Red Bull has won seven drivers’ championships and six constructors championships under the team boss.
      Spice Girl Geri Horner posts loved-up message to husband Christian as Red Bull F1 boss turns 50
      Horner married Geri, 51, in 2015 and they have one child together, Montague, seven.
      He 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.
      In December, Ginger Spice threw a star-studded 50th birthday bash for the multi-millionaire Red Bull chief.
      Rock n’ Roll legends Ronnie Wood and Sir Rod Stewart were invited along with wives Sally Wood and Penny Lancaster.
      Take That frontman Gary Barlow and R&B singer Jade Jones were also pictured in snaps posing either side of Horner.
      There was also F1 royalty in attendance with Bernie Ecclestone joined by his wife Fabiana Flosi at the event.
      Away from the fast lane of Red Bull, Horner shares two stunning country homes with Geri in Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire and their brood.
      The former property boasts its very own duck pond, which they use for boating.
      For Horner, living on a farm offers the ideal existence away from the stresses of motorsport.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Back in 2019, he told Luxury London the sprawling country abode was the “perfect home to relax in.”
      And it’s the property in Oxfordshire that gets the most love from Geri, 50, on Instagram, who regularly shares candid snaps of her family life.
      A 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 wife Geri in 2015 and have one child together
      The couple pictured at the Larkhill Royal Artillary Point to Point on January 27Credit: Splash
      Geri Halliwell threw a surprise 50th birthday bash for Christian Horner in DecemberCredit: Instagram
      Horner lives a life of luxury in the country with his familyCredit: Instagram
      Horner poses on the grounds of their Oxfordshire farmhouse with son MontagueCredit: Instagram
      The Horners show off their horses and have their own stableCredit: Instagram More

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      Max Verstappen’s Red Bull sign ‘groundbreaking’ deal that will bring ‘new look’ team to F1 grid in 2024

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      RED BULL RACING’s B-team has been renamed as Visa Cash App RB for the new F1 season.The Italy-based team were formerly known as AlphaTauri, the soft drink’s clothing range, and before that Toro Rosso – Italian for ‘Red Bull’.
      AlphaTauri has been renamed to Visa Cash App RBCredit: Reuters
      Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo will stay with the team for 2024Credit: Getty
      The move will see the Visa logo on the Red Bull and Visa Cash App RB cars for the new season however, fans are critical of the name change.
      Peter Bayer, Chief Executive Officer of the newly named Visa Cash App RB team said: “It’s fantastic to reveal the new identity and to welcome new partners as we embark on the next phase of the team’s F1 story.
      “Faenza is entering a new era of racing, staying true to our roots as a hothouse for talent but now with an even greater focus on competing for the biggest prizes in F1.
      “We have a bold vision for the team lead by myself and team principal, Laurent Mekies and having future-focused partners such as Visa and Cash App alongside us on that journey is hugely exciting.”
      Read More on F1
      Visa Cash App RB Drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo will unveil the new car livery during a special event in Las Vegas on February 8th ahead of the new season, which kicks off in Bahrain on February 29th.
      However, the rebranding has drawn criticism, with F1 website The Race calling “Visa CashApp RB the worst team name in F1 history and would be an embarrassment to Red Bull and F1 as a whole” for its lack of imagination.
      McLaren chief executive Zak Brown called for a ban on common ownership in Formula One last month.
      Although he did not directly mention Red Bull and AlphaTauri, they are the only two teams in F1 with shared owners.
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      🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year 🏁 
      In an open letter, Brown argued that “there is an opportunity to improve some of the other processes in Formula 1 to strengthen the values of fairness and competition.”
      F1 icon Damon has backed the McLaren chief’s point, saying he “agrees 100 percent”. More

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      Lando Norris set for huge McLaren pay rise on £13million F1 salary as rivals Mercedes and Red Bull circle British driver

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      McLAREN want to tie up Lando Norris to another long-term contract to fend off interest from Mercedes and Red Bull.In the second half of last season, Norris was the second-highest points scorer behind champion Max Verstappen.
      Lando Norris could see his salary rise by £7m per yearCredit: Getty
      McLaren CEO Zak Brown has explained how he wants to ensure Norris remains with his teamCredit: Getty
      The Brit, 24, is under contract until the end of 2025 but that has not put off McLaren’s rivals from checking on the highly-rated racer’s availability.
      Norris is currently on a deal worth around £13m per year and a new extension could see him earn £20m per year from 2026 onwards.
      McLaren CEO Zak Brown has signed key design staff, such as David Sanchez and Rob Marshall from Ferrari and Red Bull respectively, as the team make progress off track.
      Speaking at the launch of the team’s livery for 2024, Brown says he now wants to turn his attention to signing up his drivers to their long term project to win championships again.
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      He said: “My primary role is to get the right people in place, give them the right resources, and the support.
      “Of course when you’re building a team that has desires to get back to winning the world championship, you need the management, you need the technology, the infrastructure, and of course you need the two grand prix drivers.
      “I think we have all of those in place. We have Lando under contract for another couple of years. Of course, we’re in dialogue with him on a continuous basis as he’s starting to think through as we are, we’re very focused now here, obviously on the short term.
      “But also 2026 isn’t far away, and we recognise that being able to retain Lando and Oscar [Piastri] for the foreseeable future is definitely a key element and something that is a high priority for us.”
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      Norris is yet to win his first race but has come agonisingly close. He has taken 13 podiums and finished the championship in sixth place last season.
      And Brown says it is not down to his driver’s failure to see out the result but because the team have let him down, something he wants to rectify in 2024.
      He added: “The first victory is always somehow the most important, because when you have it, some confidence comes with it, so other things come slightly easier.
      “At the moment, I would say the main reason why this has not been possible is because we haven’t put Lando in condition to consistently compete for the victory.
      “So when Lando wins his first race, it will be a beautiful moment. He’s ready for that. It’s more about us being ready in delivering the car that allows him to take the opportunities.
      “At the moment, like actually we’ve been leading races but we couldn’t consolidate the result up to the chequered flag, so we look forward to that win, and hopefully we’ll have the opportunity in 2024.”
      While Brown is optimistic about his team’s chances coming into the new season he has raised concerns about the partnership between Red Bull and their sister team, AlphaTauri.
      And the McLaren chief thinks it could disrupt the playing field if the two teams are allowed to operate too closely and has subsequently voiced his fears.
      He said: “I am concerned over the AlphaTauri/Red Bull alliance.
      “AlphaTauri is, from what I understand, moving to the UK, which I think will benefit both teams.
      “So this A/B team and co-ownership, which is a whole other level of A/B team, is a big concern to us and the health and fairness of the sport.
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      “The A/B team co-ownership is a serious issue for the fairness of the sport for the fans.
      “That’s why it’s pretty much not allowed in any other form of major sport, and I’d like to see us as an industry focus on that before it gets to a level of being where F1 once was, which was very out of balance because people are playing by the rules but a different set of rules.”
      Norris made the podium an impressive 13 times last yearCredit: Getty More

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      Max Verstappen snubbed from hiring Mercedes AMG GT with top speed of 195mph on holiday — as he’s ‘too young’

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      FORMULA One world champion Max Verstappen was snubbed when he tried to hire a high-performance car on holiday — as he was too young.The 26-year-old Dutch ace — used to racing at well over 200mph — was denied access to the Mercedes, which has a top speed of 195mph.
      Formula One ace Max Verstappen was unable to hire a Mercedes from car rental firm Sixt when he went on holidayCredit: Splash News
      Staff said that allowing Verstappento take the AMG GT motor would have breached its insurance policyCredit: Mercedes
      Staff at car rental firm Sixt said that allowing Verstappen — who won his first grand prix aged 18 — to take the AMG GT motor would have breached its insurance policy as he is under 30.
      The Red Bull racer, who this season won his third consecutive F1 world championship, instead had to make do with a less powerful BMW 5 Series.
      He flew to the Algarve in Portugal with family and friends on three private jets last Monday.
      The party had rented around 20 cars from Sixt at Faro Airport and hired the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve racing circuit for two days before Verstappen flew on to Brazil.
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      A source said: “Max and the group went to Portugal for a fun racing trip and had booked the cars they wanted.
      “When they got to the airport, Max was shocked when he was told he wasn’t allowed to drive the Mercedes he wanted.
      “He’s a seasoned F1 driver who’s used to handling powerful cars, so it’s quite astonishing to think he wasn’t allowed to get behind the wheel of this one — but those are the rules, so he abided by them.”
      Verstappen, who has hit a top speed of 213mph in his RB19 F1 car, had picked out the Mercedes AMG GT, which can do up to 195.7mph.
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      The BMW he was eventually given can cruise at up to 155.3mph.
      His manager Raymond Vermeulen ended up driving the Mercedes.
      Belgium-born Verstappen has won 54 races and made the podium 98 times in his F1 career.
      He has raced for Red Bull since 2016 and is said to have earned £43million this year alone.
      He began karting aged four and was competing in championships at seven. Dad Jos, 51, was also an F1 driver.
      Former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan has said of Verstappen: “I believe he will turn out to be the greatest driver of all time.”
      A Sixt spokesman said: “The employees of our franchise partner in Portugal have only followed the rules that arise for insurance reasons.
      “In order to find a customer-friendly solution on site, Mr Verstappen was provided with another premium vehicle.
      “However, there can be special circumstances that justify a deviation from rules. This is such a case.
      “We apologise to Mr Verstappen. He can rent the car he wants from us at any time.
      “There is of course no doubt at all about his driving skills and his experience with powerful cars.”
      In August, Verstappen appeared to break the speed limit while driving a £2.3million Aston Martin Valkyrie supercar through a tunnel in France.
      Read more on The Sun
      A video showed him to seemingly be at 73mph on a 55mph road.
      His representative was asked to comment.
      Verstappen has hit a top speed of 213mph in his RB19 F1 carCredit: Getty More