Christian Horner makes FIRST public appearance since bombshell ‘inappropriate behaviour’ claims at Red Bull F1 launch

CHRISTIAN Horner has made his first public appearance since bombshell claims of "inappropriate behaviour" were made against him.

The successful Formula One team chief was facing the cameras at Red Bull Racing's season launch event today.

9

9

9

The 50-year-old turned up to the launch event at the team's Milton Keynes HQ as planned as Red Bull unveiled their incredible car for the F1 season ahead.

He smiled as he appeared alongside former Red Bull driver David Coulthard.

As he spoke alongside the retired racing driver, Horner said: "It's a very inclusive culture, it's a team culture."

Chief technology officer Adrian Newey then joined the duo and Horner described "keeping the team together" during Mercedes' period of dominance.

The Red Bull launch was the final of this year's ten F1 teams with all 20 cars being seen out on track ahead of the blockbuster season opener in Bahrain on March 2.

Horner is expected to stick to his work commitments over the coming weeks as the team gears up for the start of the F1 season.

This will include media obligations including interviews where he is thought to face questions over his position and his team's preparation for the season despite the huge distraction.

However, questions about the probe into Horner will likely be declined until the official investigation report is presented to Red Bull at their base in Austria.

Horner faced an eight-hour grilling last Friday with Red Bull bosses over the accusations but the results of the crunch talks have not been made public yet.

It is believed Horner's future at Red Bull hangs in the balance despite the new F1 season starting in just weeks.

Horner - who is married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell - has reportedly referred to the allegations as “nuts” and said publicly: “I completely deny these claims.”

It comes after Horner joined the Red Bull team at Silverstone for a secret test run of the new RB20 car on Tuesday.

F1 teams are allowed two filming days to capture content of their cars on track - and it also offers the potential to run the car for the first time.

Horner was surrounded by his fellow Red Bull team in the video smiling and laughing as they all stood outside of the garage in the pouring rain.

9

9

WHAT HAS BEEN CLAIMED?

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.

It has allegedly compiled a "dossier of incriminating material” regarding "inappropriate and controlling behaviour" towards one female, The Telegraph reported.

The Red Bull Racing boss, 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 last Friday.

The F1 chief was questioned for eight hours over his alleged "controlling behaviour".

Horner forced a smile as he was picked up in a chauffeur-driven car from his North London home ahead of the critical hearing.

But 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".

They also revealed the investigation is nowhere near its end - with it potentially dragging into the new F1 season.

The insider said: “This is not a trial and we are not going to have an answer and an outcome by the end of the day.

---

It comes as...

• Wife Geri Halliwell 'terrified her life will unravel'
• Bernie Ecclestone gives Horner three key pieces of advice
• Moment Horner leads secret Red Bull F1 test
• Geri 'leaning on' Victoria Beckham for support
• Horner 'urged to resign from Red Bull'
• Insiders claim Horner 'not expected to survive' probe
• Decision on his F1 future 'could take months'

---

“This is not something that is going to be rectified that quickly.

“People are expecting this to be over before the start of the F1 season, but that just isn’t going to happen."

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.

9

9

9

9