CHRISTIAN Horner is flying to Bahrain ahead of the F1 season opener as he awaits the outcome of an investigation into his behaviour.
It is understood the embattled Red Bull Racing chief, 50, will find out his fate today following an internal probe.
GettyChristian Horner pictured on February 22[/caption]
GettyHorner shares a laugh with world champion Max Verstappen at pre-season testing[/caption]
Horner was initially under investigation over alleged controlling behaviour at work.
But it was later alleged that he sent the female employee “sexually suggestive” messages.
Horner has vehemently denied all claims that threaten his position as leader of the all-conquering team of world champion Max Verstappen.
It is widely expected the result of the probe – being handled by the energy drink’s HQ in Austria – will be revealed today as his position at the team’s helm hangs in the balance.
Over the three-week process of the probe, the message from within the team has been that it is “business as usual”.
And that stance has not changed as Horner, who is not believed to know the outcome of the investigation, is today jetting out to the island, Sky Sports reports.
It is reported he will not be present for the media day today, but is due in the paddock for practice tomorrow.
But The Sun this week told how the full report on the probe may be kept secret by Red Bull.
Horner was present at the pre-season testing in Bahrain last week and Red Bull’s 2024 car launch days prior.
Last week, Horner addressed the new bombshell probe and declared he wanted a conclusion as “soon as possible”.
He was previously reportedly urged to resign by ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone – and F1 insiders did not “expect him to survive in his role”, according to BBC Sport.
Horner’s wife Geri Halliwell, 51, is understood to be standing firmly by her husband, who she married in 2015.
Earlier this month, she was pictured smiling alongside her husband at a horse racing event in Badbury Rings, Dorset.
She was allegedly reduced to tears when news of the scandal broke – but privately insisted he did nothing wrong.
Horner, who has led the Austrian team since its formation in 2005, was quizzed by an independent barrister in a private location late into the afternoon on February 9.
He is said to have privately vowed to his friends he will “clear his name and come through this,” a source told the Daily Mail.
Horner joined Red Bull Racing in 2005 and is the sport’s longest-serving team principal.
The F1 chief has overseen a huge period of success for the racing team – winning multiple F1 championships with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.
The bombshell claims that have rocked F1
F1 was rocked earlier this month by the sudden news that the sport’s longest-standing team principal had been placed under investigation by Red Bull’s Austria-based parent company.
This was thought to be over a “dossier of incriminating material” regarding “inappropriate and controlling behaviour” towards one female, The Telegraph reported.
Red Bull’s Austrian parent company flew an independent lawyer to the UK to question the multi-millionaire race ace and his accuser.
The former racing driver, who runs world champion Max Verstappen’s all-conquering Red Bull team, endured an eight-hour grilling over the claims last week.
Most recently however, more allegations have come out as the De Telegraaf reported that Horner allegedly sent sex messages to his employee “over an extended period of time”.
Messages were said to have been saved and presented as evidence to the external barrister running the inquiry after the woman made a complaint last December.
Mr Horner categorically denied the new allegations and is thought to be taking legal action against De Telegraaf.
An F1 source told The Sun last week that “Christian has not been sacked or asked to resign and he is not going to resign”.
The investigation raises the question of who could take over the helm of the all-conquering racing team of world champion Max Verstappen.
His wife Geri Halliwell is also said to be “terrified her life will unravel” amid Horner’s “inappropriate behaviour” probe.
The ex-Spice Girl, who was “in floods of tears” when the Red Bull boss was hit with the bombshell allegations, fears the drama will drag on for years, a source has claimed.
But Geri, 51, is understood to be standing by her husband.
She has told pals: “Christian has done nothing wrong.”
Horner has overseen a huge period of success for the racing team – winning multiple F1 championships with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.
Red Bull has won seven Formula One world drivers’ championships and six world constructors’ titles under Horner’s leadership.
Last season, the team won 21 of the 22 races on the global F1 tour, and Verstappen, 26, won the drivers’ crown.
Horner was awarded a CBE for services to motorsport in the 2024 New Year’s Honours List
Red Bull has won seven Formula One world drivers’ championships and six world constructors’ titles under Horner’s leadership.
Last season, the team won 21 of the 22 races on the global F1 tour, and Verstappen, 26, won the drivers’ crown.
Horner was awarded a CBE for services to motorsport in the 2024 New Year’s Honours List.
Should he quit his role, Red Bull would be seeking a replacement to lead their defence of the two titles they won in 2023, with Max Verstappen winning his third world championship.
But F1 insiders say the probe has already caused “loss of image” to the team.
Ex-F1 team owner Eddie Jordan told F1-Insider.com: “I have experienced many wrong decisions.
“But the Red Bull situation is the most absurd thing I’ve ever seen. Of course, there is initially the presumption of innocence for Horner.
“But does anyone seriously believe that the employee made up her mind about the allegations?
“If Horner is innocent, is she guilty? Red Bull’s loss of image is already huge. Someone has to pull the ripcord now.”
GettyHorner with wife Geri Halliwell[/caption]
A look at Christian Horner’s life and career
CHRISTIAN Horner is among the most well-known names in Formula One having 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 host of competitions including British Formula Three, British Formula Two, and Formula 3000
1997 – Founded and developed the F3000 team Arden
1999 – Retired from driving and continued developing the Arden team
2005 – Appointed head of Red Bull team, becoming the youngest ever team principal at that time
2009 – Wins his first races as team principal with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber
2010 – Wins the Constructors’ Championship and Drivers’ Championship with Vettel – the first of four doubles in a row
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 win the Drivers’ Championship and Constructors’ Championship two years in a row