CHRISTIAN Horner has been cleared of any wrongdoing after a female colleague made bombastic claims about his behaviour.
The F1 boss, 50, will remain at the helm of the Red Bull Racing team after a three-week internal investigation dismissed the complaint.
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Horner leads world champion Max Verstappen’s all-conquering racing team Credit: Getty
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Horner with his wife Geri, whom he married in 2015. Credit: Getty
Team manager Horner, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was initially investigated for allegedly “inappropriate” behavior towards staff.
Horner, who is paid £8million a year, has strongly denied any claims which have threatened his position as leader of world champion Max Verstappen’s all-conquering team.
He has now been cleared of misconduct, Red Bull Austria confirmed this afternoon, after an independent lawyer was hired to review the evidence.
A spokesman said: “An independent investigation into the allegations against Mr Horner has been completed and Red Bull can confirm that the complaint has been dismissed.”
The team’s parent company confirmed that the complainant “has the right to appeal”.
The spokesperson added: “Red Bull is confident that the investigation was fair, rigorous and impartial.
“The investigation report is confidential and contains private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not comment further out of respect for all concerned.
“Red Bull will continue to strive to meet the highest standards in the workplace.”
Horner flew to Bahrain today ahead of the F1 season opener Grand Prix on Saturday.
Christian Horner makes FIRST public appearance after bombshell claims of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ at Red Bull’s F1 launch
He arrived on a private jet at 18:25 local time – and just seven minutes later a statement from his team was released saying he had been released.
During the three-week investigation, the message within the team was “business as usual”.
Horner was present at pre-season testing in Bahrain last week and Red Bull’s unveiling of the 2024 car a few days before.
The team manager, who has led the Austrian team since its inception in 2005, was questioned by an independent lawyer at a private location in the late afternoon of February 9.
Horner is said to have privately promised his friends he would “clear his name”.
He will now lead the team into their 20th season in the sport after receiving the full backing of Red Bull’s Thai owners, led by Chalerm Yoovidhya, son of the company’s co-founder Chalea.
It comes as…
Red Bull has been under pressure to resolve the issue as Ford CEO Jim Farley demanded a resolution as he expressed his disagreement with “unresolved allegations of inappropriate behavior by Red Bull Racing management”.
Last week, Horner addressed the inquiry and said he wanted a conclusion “as soon as possible”.
He had previously been called on by former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone to resign – and F1 insiders did not “expect him to survive in his role”, according to BBC Sport.
Formula 1 has been rocked by the news that the longest-serving team manager in the sport has been placed under investigation by Red Bull’s Austrian-based parent company.
Horner’s wife, Geri (51), is firmly standing by her husband, whom she married in 2015.
Earlier this month she was pictured smiling alongside her husband at a horse race at Badbury Rings in Dorset.
She reportedly broke down in tears when news of the scandal broke – but privately insisted he had done nothing wrong.
A look at the life and career of Christian Horner
CHRISTIAN Horner is one of the most famous names in Formula 1 because he 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 range of competitions including British Formula Three, British Formula Two and Formula 3000
1997 – Founded and developed F3000 team Arden
1999 – Retired from driving and continued to develop the Arden team
2005 – Appointed Red Bull team boss, becoming the youngest team manager at the time
2009 – Wins his first races as team principal with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber
2010 – wins Constructors’ Championship and Drivers’ Championship with Vettel – the first of four consecutive two-seaters
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, beating Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the season
2022-23 – Red Bull wins the Drivers’ Championship and the Constructors’ Championship two years in a row
Horner earlier praised his wife for her support, telling Dutch reporters: “I have a lot of family support and a supportive wife.
“I focused on work and the season ahead. I won’t talk about private things, but my family was very supportive.”
The head of Red Bull Racing reportedly called the accusations “crazy”.
The F1 boss has overseen a period of great success for the racing team – winning multiple F1 championships with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.
Under Horner’s leadership, Red Bull won seven world championships in Formula 1 and six constructors’ world titles.
Last season, the team won 21 of 22 races on the global F1 tour, with Verstappen, 26, winning the driver’s crown.
Horner was awarded a CBE for services to motorsport in the 2024 New Year’s Honors List.
Prior to the investigation into Horner’s conduct, reports emerged of an unrelated internal power struggle taking place within Red Bull.
Rumors of problems between the team’s leadership have been circulating since the death of billionaire co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022 and the team put together a new board of directors.
Former RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has been appointed CEO.
Despite Red Bull enjoying their most successful season in F1 history in 2023, there has been speculation of a rift between Horner and Helmut Mark, Red Bull GmBH’s motorsport adviser.
Rumors even went so far as to suggest that Horner was determined to get rid of Marko, 80, from the team.
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Spice girl Geri Halliwell spent a day at the races with her husband on SundayCredit: christianhorner/Instagram
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Verstappen and Horner at the F1 Qatar Grand Prix in October 2023 Credit: Getty
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