F1 chiefs urge Red Bull to resolve Christian Horner’s future ‘at the earliest opportunity’, amid an investigation into allegations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by Geri Halliwell’s husband
- Christian Horner has been accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by a colleague
- The 50-year-old Red Bull chief has strongly denied the allegations against him
- Formula 1 called on Red Bull to provide clarity about Horner’s future as soon as possible
The owners of Formula 1 tonight called for Christian Horner’s future as Red Bull team boss to be ‘clarified as quickly as possible’.
The 50-year-old’s role has been in jeopardy since he was accused of “inappropriate conduct” earlier this month, allegations that escalated when Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf claimed on Friday that he was also responding to allegations of a sexual nature.
Horner emphatically denies the claims and also wants a quick judgment.
He emphasized last Thursday at the Red Bull car launch in Milton Keynes that he will be at the opening race in Bahrain on March 2.
F1, owned by US conglomerate Liberty Media, said: ‘We have noted that Red Bull has launched an independent investigation into internal allegations at Red Bull Racing.
F1 has called for Christian Horner’s Red Bull future to be ‘clarified as soon as possible’
Horner – who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell – is fighting to save his career after allegations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ were made against him. He denies the accusations
‘We hope the matter will be resolved as soon as possible, following a fair and thorough process, and we will have no further comment at this time.’
No one involved in the investigation would put a timeframe on the process, which is being carried out by a King’s Counsel, an external arbitrator brought in by parent company Red Bull GmBH, the energy drinks company that started in F1 in 2005.
Testing starts in Bahrain on Wednesday and Horner will be there again.
A source told Mail Sport that the lawyer’s report is almost complete; another, on the other hand, says there won’t be a ruling until Friday at the earliest. Those findings will go to the Red Bull board for their decision on Horner’s position.
Speaking at the launch of Red Bull’s car for the new season, Horner said he wasn’t going anywhere
The numbers in the sport are split on the likelihood of Horner staying in post, about 50-50 as of Sunday evening.
Horner has been the architect of remarkable success: 13 world titles, drivers’ and constructors’ championships, under the leadership of Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.