Christian Horner under investigation after allegations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ | F1 | Sport

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has been placed under investigation following accusations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’, according to reports.

Following a report from Dutch news outlet De Telegraaf, a Red Bull spokesperson added: “After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation. This process, which is already underway, 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.”

Horner was asked about the allegations and replied: “I completely deny these claims.” The 50-year-old has been undergoing preparations for the 2024 season as Red Bull look to defend their Drivers’ Championship and Constructors’ Championship titles. 

This news will be an unwelcome distraction for the Milton Keynes-based team, who are attempting to follow up a historic 2023 campaign with another title-winning year in 2024.

The reigning world champions won 21 of a possible 22 Grands Prix last season with Verstappen cruising to the title with 19 of those. The Dutchman ended the year 290 points clear of team-mate Sergio Perez in the standings.

Such historic success was a career-defining highlight for Horner, who has been at the helm of Red Bull since they joined the sport back in 2005. Since then, the team have won a combined 13 World Championships.

The news broke just days after the 50-year-old confirmed plans for a new, state-of-the-art wind tunnel at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes facility.

Addressing the new plans, he said: “The commitment to the campus in the UK is extraordinary. To have a state-of-the-art wind tunnel, something that we debated over the last 19 years, and see where we are at with [Red Bull] Powertrains, to have within a three-year period recruited close to 500 people and built a state-of-the-art facility with our own manufacturing ability – it’s a massive commitment by the shareholders, and it demonstrates their commitment to the longevity, but it also demonstrates that Formula One is delivering.”