Christian Horner is pictured heading to Red Bull headquarters for an improper conduct hearing after being accused of controlling behavior by a female employee – as insiders expect him to be suspended

Christian Horner is pictured on his way to a hearing following an allegation of ‘improper conduct’ at Red Bull’s Formula 1 team.

The 50-year-old, who has been Red Bull’s chief executive since its inception in 2005, was photographed leaving his home in north London for the internal hearing expected to take place at the team’s headquarters in Milton Keynes.

Red Bull – the Austrian energy drinks company that owns the team – has said it has launched an independent investigation after being made aware of the allegations.

The accusation was made by another member of staff from the British team that took Max Verstappen to his third consecutive world championship last year.

Horner, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, strongly refutes the accusation, saying: ‘I completely deny these claims.’

A source within the Red Bull team said the claims related to ‘controlling behaviour‘. It is alleged this was against a female colleague. Horner has also described the allegations as ‘crazy’, in a message protesting his innocence to MailOnline.

Horner’s future now hangs in the balance, with insiders telling BBC Sport they expect the Red Bull racing boss to be sacked.

If Horner is fired – or decides to resign – sources say a director from Red Bull’s Austrian side is likely to replace him.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.

Horner, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell (pictured together in Monaco last May), strongly refutes the accusation, saying: ‘I completely deny these claims.’