Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has called on RED BULL boss Christian Horner to resign following allegations made by a female employee, F1 sources claim.
Horner, 50, fought to save his career during an eight-hour D-Day barbecue last Friday after complaints of “inappropriate and controlling behaviour”.
7
Christian Horner was reportedly advised by close confidante Bernie Ecclestone to step down Credit: Getty
7
F1 great Ecclestone pictured whispering with Horner at the start of 2013 Credit: Getty Images – Getty
7
The racing boss is forced to smile on his way to Friday’s 8-hour barbecue
The 93-year-old billionaire former F1 boss has now reportedly stepped in and advised Horner to step down as Red Bull team principal.
Sources told F1 Insider that Ecclestone warned his long-time friend that his resignation would save him and his family from further damage caused by the fallout from the scandal.
Ecclestone’s representatives have been reached for comment.
The results of Friday’s key talks have still not been made public – meaning Horner’s future at Red Bull still hangs in the balance.
read more on Christian Horner
However, F1 insiders do not “expect him to survive in his role” at the team, following an ongoing investigation, reports BBC Sport.
The question is who would take the helm of world champion Max Verstappen’s all-conquering racing team.
F1 was rocked a week ago by the sudden news that the longest-serving team director in the sport had been placed under investigation by Red Bull’s Austrian-based parent company.
He allegedly compiled a “file of incriminating material” relating to “inappropriate and controlling behaviour” towards a female individual, The Telegraph reported.
Horner reportedly called the allegations “crazy” and publicly said, “I completely deny the allegations.”
The Red Bull Racing boss, who has led the Austrian team since its inception in 2005, was questioned by an independent lawyer at a private location late on Friday afternoon.
Horner forced a smile as he was picked up by chauffeur from his north London home ahead of the critical hearing.
But an F1 source told The Sun last week that “Christian has not been fired or asked to resign and he will not resign”.
They also revealed that the investigation is nowhere near over – with a potential drag on into the new F1 season.
An insider said: “This is not a trial and we won’t have an answer and an outcome until the end of the day.
“This is not something that will be corrected so quickly.
“People expect this to be over before the start of the F1 season, but it’s just not going to happen.”
The investigation threatens to overshadow the start of the new F1 season — with first practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix on February 29.
Former racing driver Horner’s Spice Girl wife Geri Halliwell, 51, is reportedly standing by her husband, whom she married in 2015.
She told friends: “Christian didn’t do anything wrong.”
Horner is said to have privately promised friends he would “clear his name and get through this,” a source told the Daily Mail last week.
“She’s going to stand by him and be there for him just like she always has. She never misses a race and that’s not going to change.”
However, her husband’s scandal has created a “Grand Canyon-sized crack” right in the middle of her “super-perfect, super-posh life,” another source claims.
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 motor sport 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 Tea has assembled 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.
7
Ecclestone reportedly advised Horner to step down to avoid further harm to himself and his familyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
7
Ecclestone was given a birthday cake with Horner and the late racing legend Niki Lauda in 2016. Credit: Getty Images – Getty
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
7
His Spice Girl wife Geri Halliwell is thought to be standing firmly by his sideCredit: Getty
7
The 50-year-old has been at the helm of Red Bull Racing for 19 years since its inceptionCredit: Getty
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education