Christian Horner is pictured on his way to a hearing following an allegation of ‘improper conduct’ at the Red Bull Formula 1 team.
The 50-year-old, who has been Red Bull’s chief executive since its inception in 2005, was photographed leaving his home in north London for the internal hearing expected to take place at the team’s headquarters in Milton Keynes.
Red Bull – the Austrian energy drinks company that owns the team – said it had launched an independent investigation on Monday after being made aware of the allegations.
The accusation was made by another member of staff from the British team that took Max Verstappen to his third consecutive world championship last year.
A source within the Red Bull team says the claims relate to ‘behavior management’ and that this is said to have been against a female colleague.
An external UK KC lawyer has been appointed to investigate the complaint the woman made to the parent company in Austria rather than the Red Bull team itself.
Horner, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, strongly refutes the accusation, saying: ‘I completely deny these claims.’ He has also described the accusation as ‘crazy’, in a message protesting his innocence to MailOnline.
But the Red Bull Racing boss’ future now hangs in the balance, with insiders telling BBC Sport they expect Horner to be sacked.
Christian Horner has been spotted heading to a hearing following an allegation of ‘inappropriate conduct’ at Red Bull’s Formula 1 team
Horner, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell (pictured together in Monaco last May), strongly refutes the accusation, saying: ‘I completely deny these claims.’
If Horner fails to survive his role, sources say a director from Red Bull’s Austrian side is likely to replace him. Should Horner be forced to resign, the effect on the sport would be seismic.
Since Red Bull announced the investigation, Horner has remained active in his role as team principal, in addition to his dual role as CEO of Red Bull Racing.
On Monday, Red Bull released a statement saying it was investigating “certain recent allegations.”
It continued: ‘This process, which is already underway, is being carried out by an external specialist lawyer.
‘The company takes these matters very seriously and the investigation will be completed as quickly as practicable. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
Today’s hearing threatens to overshadow the February 15 launch of Red Bull’s 2024 car, with which Verstappen will attempt to defend his world title. The new Formula 1 season starts on March 2 in Bahrain.
But Horner’s supporters argue he is a pawn in a wider power struggle within the organization, in a void left by the death of his key ally Dietrich Mateschitz, the soft drinks magnate, who died in October 2022.
Red Bull Formula 1 team boss Christian Horner leaves his home in North London yesterday
Christian Horner and his wife Geri Halliwell during a book launch at the Tower of London last October
Horner with Red Bull’s Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen in Qatar on October 7 last year
Christian Horner with David Beckham on the grid during the Miami Grand Prix in May 2022
Christian Horner, pictured with Prince Harry before the Texas Grand Prix last October
Horner and Halliwell meet then-Prince Charles at a Prince’s Trust event in London in 2019
A friend of Halliwell told MailOnline she is ‘devastated’ about the allegations but will publicly support him.
Horner has been team principal at Red Bull since their entry into F1 19 years ago, overseeing seven World Drivers’ Championships and six Constructors’ titles.
Red Bull won 21 of 22 rounds last year, with Verstappen setting a record of 10 consecutive wins as he cruised to his third title in as many years.
Horner received a CBE for his services to motorsport in the New Year Honors List. He and Halliwell married in 2015 and have one child together, seven-year-old Montague.