Williams chief publicly addresses allegations of ‘incredibly controlling behaviour’ by Geri Halliwell’s husband Christian Horner as he becomes the first F1 boss to comment on claims against Red Bull principal

Wiliams team boss James Vowles has become the first Formula 1 boss to comment on allegations of ‘incredibly controlling behaviour’ against Red Bull’s Christian Horner.

On Monday, Mail Sport reported that the accusations had been made against the Red Bull team boss by a female colleague. But speaking about the claims, the 50-year-old, who joined the Austrian racing team in 2005, said: ‘I completely deny these claims.’

Horner, who married former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell in Bedfordshire in 2015, is expected to remain in his role while Red Bull complete their investigation – which is being conducted by a specialist lawyer.

But now Vowles, a former Mercedes strategist, has become the first Formula 1 boss to speak about the allegations.

“The sport itself, 20 years ago, was without a doubt male-dominated. If you asked me what a team was made of, it would be white, most likely male, more than likely 40 years old… something in that ballpark,” Vowles told Bloomberg TV.

Accusations of ‘incredibly controlling behaviour’ were made against the Red Bull team boss

‘That is changing, and it is only positive that that result is changing.

“I can only control what happens within Williams and what I can do within that environment is open everyone’s eyes, that’s how we have to be, because the best ideas don’t come from a closed group of individuals.

‘It comes from diversity.’

He added: “These allegations are allegations.

‘I’m afraid I don’t have any understanding of what is behind it and the meaning of what happened.

“All I can say is that if this were to ever happen in our regard, we will fully support resolving it and ensuring that we have a culture that is accepting of everyone.”

In a message to Mail Sport, Horner had also described the allegations as ‘crazy’.

Those loyal to him had claimed the accusations were slander made to remove him from his position in what has been described by his defenders as an internal battle.

Williams, meanwhile, appointed Vowles as team principal in January 2023.

Before that, he worked as head of strategy for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.

The 44-year-old replaced Jost Capito after the team finished bottom of the Constructors’ Championship in 2022, while Williams finished seventh in the standings.

When asked about the outcome of the allegations against Horner, Vowles added: “Again, I think it means we all need to look each other in the mirror and make sure we’re asking the right questions internally and acting in a way that we can only be proud of, not today but in ten years’ time.’

His partner, Geri Haliwell, has admitted she was ‘devastated’ by the allegations

Williams director Vowles added that the allegations ‘mean we all need to look each other in the mirror and make sure we’re asking the right questions internally’

Red Bull, meanwhile, will launch its car for the upcoming Formula 1 season on February 15, ahead of the new season starting on March 2 in Bahrain.

After the claims were made against Horner, the Racing team released a statement saying: ‘After becoming aware of recent allegations, the company initiated an independent investigation.

‘This investigation, which is already underway, is being carried out by an external specialized lawyer.

“The company takes these matters very seriously and the investigation will be completed as quickly as possible. It would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this time.”

Horner with Red Bull’s Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen in Qatar on October 7 last year

Christian Horner, pictured with Prince Harry before the Texas Grand Prix last October

Mail Sport exclusively reported on Tuesday that Horner’s partner Halliwell is also ‘devastated’ over the allegations against the 50-year-old.

The team boss has enjoyed a period of huge success, with the Austrian racing team notably winning 21 of the 22 races on the Grand Prix calendar last season as Max Verstappen romped to the Drivers’ Championship.

The team also took the Constructors’ Championship, helping Mercedes win the title by a whopping 451 points, the sixth time it has won the honor with Red Bull.