Christian Horner 'WILL NOT resign' and 'conduct investigation' could drag on for months

CHRISTIAN Horner will not resign amid an investigation into his conduct, a source close to the Formula 1 team boss has revealed.

The Red Bull team principle – married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell – was questioned for no less than eight hours yesterday about his alleged 'controlling' behaviour.

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And a source claims the investigation is far from over and may continue after the start of the new F1 season on February 29.

The source said: “This is not a process and we will not have an answer and outcome at the end of the day.

“This is not something that will be resolved so quickly.

“But Christian has not been fired or asked to resign, and he will not resign.

“We are conducting an investigation and we must respect the integrity of the investigation, which means we must let it take its course.”

The Red Bull Racing boss was questioned by a lawyer late in the afternoon of February 9.

The Sun told on Tuesday how Horner was being investigated over allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” towards a female colleague.

Horner, who leads world champion Max Verstappen's all-conquering team, said: “I completely deny these claims.”

News of the allegations emerged on February 5 as the team boss was preparing for Red Bull's defense of their championship titles.

Given Horner's high position, the female staffer is said to have filed a complaint with the team's parent company at Red Bull in Austria.

The allegations are said to center on concerns about a strict work regime and do not relate to sexual impropriety.

Red Bull Racing's Austria-based parent company said yesterday: “After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company initiated an independent investigation.

“This process, which is already underway, is being carried out by an external specialist lawyer.

“The company takes these matters very seriously and the investigation will be completed as quickly as practicable.

“It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”

Horner, who has been Red Bull Racing's 'director' since its founding in 2005, was questioned by an external lawyer hired by the Austrian company.

Today BBC Sport reported that insiders had told them they did not expect Horner to survive the furor.

Staff at the team's British base in Milton Keynes have said they had no knowledge of the allegations when contacted.

The investigation threatens to overshadow the start of the new F1 season – with the first practice sessions for the Bahrain Grand Prix taking place on February 29.

However, insiders say it is unlikely that a decision on Horner's future at the helm of the team will be made after today's first meeting with the lawyer.

Our source added: “People expect this to be over before the start of the F1 season, but that's just not going to happen.

“It will be a longer process because we have to conduct the investigation thoroughly.”

Wife Geri, 51, is believed to stand by her husband and has told friends: “Christian has done nothing wrong.”

Former racing driver Horner and Geri married in a church ceremony in Woburn, Beds, in 2015 after a year-long engagement.

They have a seven-year-old son together and Horner has a daughter from a previous relationship.

Red Bull Racing has won seven Formula 1 Drivers' World Championships and six Constructors' World Championships since the team was founded under Horner 19 years ago.

Last season the team won 21 of the 22 races on the global F1 tour, with 26-year-old Verstappen winning the drivers' crown.

Horner received a CBE for services to motorsport in the 2024 New Year's Honors List.

Red Bull Racing does not want to comment.

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