Red Bull Formula One team boss Christian Horner is under investigation following an accusation of “inappropriate controlling behaviour”.
That is according to The Telegraph UK, which reported the investigation by an “external, specialised lawyer” is being made after an allegation was made by another member of staff.
The allegations were first reported by F1 Insider, which claimed “rumours emerged during the Hahnenkamm ski race in Kitzbühel” last week.
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“Various Formula One decision-makers were also there as guests, such as McLaren boss Zak Brown and Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff,” the report added.
Horner, 50, who has been Red Bull team principal since 2005, strongly rejects the accusation.
“After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation,” Red Bull, the Austrian energy drinks firm which owns the F1 team, said in a statement.
“This process, which is already under way, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister.
“The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.” Asked about the accusations, Horner told De Telegraaf: “I completely deny these claims.”
Horner, meanwhile, is also said to have described the accusations as “nuts” in a message to the Daily Mail.
The Telegraph UK reported there are suggestions of an internal power play at Red Bull, something which the Daily Mail report also touched on in relation to the Horner allegations.
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“According to Horner loyalists, he is the victim of an internal fight within the broader Red Bull family,” the report claimed.
“Once protected by Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz, they claim he is now exposed to forces out to do him down since Mateschitz died in October 2022, aged 79.
“Horner’s defenders say the accusations are smears aimed at unseating him from power in an attempt to wrest control to Salzburg, the home of the fizzy drinks company that lends its name to the F1 team – the dominant force of the current era with Max Verstappen winning the last three world titles.”
Horner, who married pop singer Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls in 2015, has overseen seven drivers’ world championships and six constructors’ titles.
Red Bull won 21 of the 22 races staged last year, with Max Verstappen setting a record of 10 consecutive victories as he cruised to his third straight title.
Red Bull are due to launch their latest car on February 15 ahead of the new season, which starts in Bahrain on March 2.