Christian Horner hits back at claims of a rift with star driver Max Verstappen and his dad over ‘inappropriate behaviour’ investigation, as pressure builds on Geri Halliwell’s Red Bull chief husband despite his denials

Under-fire Red Bull chief Christian Horner has denied claims of a rift with Max Verstappen and his father, Jos, during an investigation into an allegation of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ against him.

Horner, the husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, is fighting to save his career following allegations from a female Red Bull employee.

He denies all allegations and last week took his case to a QC, who has been appointed as an internal investigator by the team that is the reigning world champions.

And on Thursday, at the launch of Red Bull’s new car for the 2024 season, Horner again denied all claims of wrongdoing and denied reports of tensions with three-time world champion Verstappen.

“No, not at all (there is no friction),” said the team boss and CEO of Red Bull Sky Sports News. ‘A few days ago I was at Silverstone with Jos and Max.

Horner – who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell – is fighting to save his career after a colleague accused him of ‘inappropriate behaviour’

In collaboration with Red Bull team boss and CEO Horner, Verstappen has won three world titles

‘Max is very focused on his work. He has been very supportive of me and I am looking forward to the coming season with him.

“There will always be speculation, but we are together as one team, that’s how we always have been and that’s how we still are.

“The support from shareholders has been phenomenal and without it we wouldn’t be here. So no, that’s not right.’

Verstappen – who has won the world championship for three consecutive seasons – echoed Horner’s words, while separately saying their relationship was “as normal”.

He added: ‘It (our relationship) is very good. We saw each other a few times, I was in the simulator, he was also there when we were filming.

‘We have achieved a lot together, so that will not suddenly change.’

Horner, who has been at the helm of Red Bull since its launch in 2005, also revealed he had been working at the Red Bull factory every day since early January and insisted he would be at the season opener in Bahrain.

Horner (right) was speaking at the launch of Red Bull’s new car for the upcoming 2024 season

Verstappen (in the photo with his father Jos) emphasized that his relationship with Horner is ‘normal’

When questioned about the allegations on Thursday, the 50-year-old also claimed he had not considered stepping down from his role.

‘No. It’s business as usual,” he said. ‘Obviously I completely deny any allegations that have been made against me, but of course I will work on that process, which I hope will be completed in the near future.

‘I cannot say what that process consists of. I clearly have confidence in the process and working with the process and absolutely deny any allegations that are being made.

“I’ll just continue to work within that process until it’s done.”