The allegations against Christian Horner come as the Red Bull boss remains embroiled in a power struggle in Formula One that has sparked rumors of an attempt by key figures to oust him from power.
Horner, 50, the husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, 51, has been accused of “incredibly controlling behavior” by a colleague – although he denies the claims and an investigation is underway.
Allegations relating to Horner made the rounds in the sport over the weekend ahead of the start of the new season next month. But they are flatly denied by the father of two and no evidence of this kind has been provided.
A subtext of the dispute is the tug of war between the team that runs Horner in Milton Keynes and the parent company in Salzburg, Austria – both rival centers are divided by differing views dating back to the death of the company's founder Dietrich Mateschitz in October 2022.
The £21.8bn tycoon was a friend of Bernie Ecclestone – who recommended Horner, then made his name as boss of Arden in Formula 3000 and was looking for a break into Formula One.
Christian Horner, 50, the husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, 51, was accused of “incredibly controlling behavior” by a colleague. They were seen at the Monaco GP last year
Horner with Chalerm Yoovidhya, the leader of Red Bull's Thai contingent, and his team advisor Dr. Helmut Marko. Taken in September last year in Monza, Italy
Bernie Ecclestone recommended Horner. He is friends with Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz
An insider said Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff wanted to leave Horner
Ecclestone and Horner quickly became close friends, with Horner serving as best man at Ecclestone's third wedding.
This duty was reciprocated when Horner rose to a higher sphere of fame through his marriage to Geri.
“Christian is the closest thing to the old school of bosses I knew,” Ecclestone once told the Mail, also suggesting his pal as his successor as the sport's ringmaster, an idea that was scrapped when American conglomerate Liberty Media bought the club Sport in 2017.
Since Mateschitz's death at the age of 79, Red Bull has been less obviously governed by an overarching figurehead – key figures are jockeying for position.
One of them is Oliver Mintzlaff, the managing director and former coach of RB Leipzig.
A Red Bull observer said of the German: “Mintzlaff wants Horner to leave, not least because he has become too senior and too expensive for their taste.” But the Thais on the main board aren't so sure.”
The Thai contingent is led by Chalerm Yoovidhya, the son of Red Bull co-founder Chaleo, and Mateschitz. Chalerm.
As heir to the company's assets, Yoovidhya is estimated to be worth around £30 billion.
He remains a Horner supporter and is there on race weekends, among other things to watch Verstappen win the title in Qatar in October.
Another important personality is Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull's 80-year-old motorsports consultant – an Austrian who is believed to be more in line with Mintzlaff's views than Horner's.
“Marko got a contract extension last year but his money was halved,” said a well-placed Formula 1 personality yesterday.
There is a perception that he wants revenge on Horner and wants him out.'
A friend of Geri Halliwell told Web she was “devastated” by the allegations against her husband.
Web understands the allegations against the Spice Girls singer's husband relate to allegations of misconduct by a team member.
Horner, who is expected to remain in his post since 2005 while the internal investigation is conducted, said: “I completely deny these allegations.”
Horner with David Beckham at the start of the Miami Grand Prix in May 2022
Christian Horner pictured with Prince Harry before the Texas Grand Prix in October last year
Horner and Halliwell meet then-Prince Charles at a Prince's Trust event in London in 2019
Halliwell and Horner arrive at the Bafta Film Awards 2023 in London on February 19 last year
A statement from Red Bull Austria – the Austrian energy drinks company that owns the F1 team – confirmed an investigation was underway. It said: “After becoming aware of the recent allegations, the company initiated an independent investigation.” This ongoing investigation is being carried out by an external specialist lawyer.
“The company is taking this matter extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as quickly as possible. “It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
Today's confirmation of the investigation follows 36 hours in which the Milton Keynes-based team denied any alleged wrongdoing. Horner also described the allegations as “crazy” in a message to Web in which he maintained his innocence.
Horner and Halliwell married in 2015 and had one child together, Montague, seven.
Halliwell had a daughter, Bluebell, 16, with screenwriter Sacha Gervasi in 2005, while Horner shares Olivia, 10, with his ex-partner Beverley Allen.
Horner, who has led Red Bull since starting in 2005, has overseen a period of great success for the team.
Under Horner, the team has won seven drivers' championships and six constructors' championships.
Last season, Red Bull won 21 of the 22 races on the calendar, while Max Verstappen took the drivers' title.
Horner celebrated his 50th birthday in December, with stars including Ronnie Wood and Sir Rod Stewart in attendance.
Take That singer Gary Barlow was also seen tapping on the piano as the rest of the guests sang happy birthday to him on the chorus, while R&B singer Jade Jones posed for a photo with the Red Bull boss.
Horner was also presented with a three-tiered birthday cake that read “World Champion” – he had won six constructors’ championships.
Horner and Halliwell in a holiday photo taken on an unknown beach over Christmas
Geri Halliwell called her husband “an amazing man” in a post to mark his 50th birthday.
The Spice Girls star said she was “really grateful” to have Christian Horner as her “best friend”.
Famous faces from the world of sport were also at the party, with Bernie Ecclestone enjoying the celebrations alongside his wife, Brazilian Fabiana Flosi.
Horner shared a thank you post on his Instagram after the event, saying: “Last night my lovely wife Geri completely surprised me with a completely unexpected dinner with some dear friends. 'Looks like we're starting a band.'
Meanwhile, Halliwell shared a series of photos on Instagram with the following caption: “A surprise belated birthday celebration for @christianhorner and the supergroup! @officialgarybarlow you are amazing!”.
She also gushed, “You are my best friend.” I love you more than words can express and I am so grateful that you are in my life. I think you are a great person, you are kind, you are loving, you are generous.
“I'm really, really grateful and I just want to wish you the best, this new chapter in your life, just brilliance.” You're an amazing man and I just want to wish you a happy birthday. I love you.'
Last month, Web exclusively revealed that Horner and Halliwell had submitted plans to build a swimming pool at their Grade II-listed mansion.
Planning documents show the couple have applied to have the pool installed in their garden, along with new decorative plantings and a heat pump to keep the water warm.
In the documents, the couple say the work on the historic family home is being carried out in an effort to modernize the site – in the hope of “enhancing” its “unique character”.
Miss Halliwell threw a surprise party for her husband Horner's 50th birthday in December last year
His 50th birthday party brought together celebrities from the world of sport and music – including rock 'n' roll legends Ronnie Wood and Sir Rod Stewart
Horner was also presented with a three-tiered birthday cake with the words “World Champion” written on it.
Horner joked that they should form a new band after Gary Barlow was seen singing that night
The 40-by-16-foot pool with a fountain, topiary, sun loungers and a 6-foot-deep end is adjacent to the greenhouse and to the side of the main house, according to the plans.
Many of the documents were submitted on January 2 – days after Horner was included in the New Year's list for services to motorsport following another winning season with Red Bull.
But its location within the existing 18th-century vegetable garden has been criticized by heritage experts as the excavation found a “high probability of buried remains”.
While senior conservation officer Mandy Lumb said the proposal would have no impact on the listed building, she said: “Given the excavation will take place in close proximity to the existing house and there may be remains of the former house, there is a high risk Likelihood of remains being buried.” The advice of the archaeological consultant should be sought on this matter.”
Last month, Web exclusively revealed that Horner and Halliwell had submitted plans to build a swimming pool at their Grade II-listed mansion
The 40' x 16' pool with fountain, topiary, sunbeds and a 6' deep end is located next to the greenhouse and to the side of the main house
Plans of the existing gardens show topiary and vegetable beds in which the pool would be located
She added that the outbuilding that will house the facility should be repaired as part of the plans.
And she criticized the Horners for not applying for planning permission for a brick wall and a row of covered seating areas, which she believes is “unauthorized” unless the couple can get permission.
It comes just a year after the couple applied to expand their villa with a whole new floor as their planning application stated they needed more space for their “growing family”.