Bernie Ecclestone 'urges Christian Horner to resign to avoid harm to his wife Geri Halliwell and his family' as allegations of Red Bull F1 'improper conduct' hang over him

Bernie Ecclestone has advised Christian Horner to step down from his role as Red Bull team boss amid an investigation into an allegation of 'inappropriate conduct'.

The 50-year-old, husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, is fighting to save his career following allegations from a female Red Bull employee.

He denies all allegations but had to present his case to a QC, who was appointed as an internal investigator by the team that is the reigning world champions.

Horner was questioned by a top lawyer during an all-day meeting on Friday and Red Bull is in a race against time to resolve the row before the start of the new Formula 1 season in Bahrain on March 2.

Now according to F1 insiderformer F1 chief Ecclestone has urged Horner to quit.

Horner – who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell (right) has been accused of 'inappropriate behaviour' by a female Red Bull employee

It is said that the 93-year-old 'intervened and advised his friend to resign' in an attempt to prevent 'further harm to himself and his family'.

Ecclestone recommended Horner to Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz when the current team boss was making a name for himself as boss of Arden in Formula 3000 and was looking for a breakthrough in F1.

Ecclestone and Horner quickly became close friends, with Horner acting as best man at Ecclestone's third wedding.

This duty was answered when Horner moved to a higher realm of fame through his marriage to Mrs. Halliwell.

Mail Sport previously reported how Halliwell is 'devastated' over the allegations against her husband but will publicly support him.

Horner has not said anything publicly since the hearing. Other well-informed insiders believe the case will drag on longer in a case of “he says, she says, he says.”

He is determined to continue in the role he has held for 19 years, winning 13 world titles in that time, both in the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships.

Red Bull will launch their 2024 car on Thursday, although it is unclear whether Horner will be present (pictured last season alongside three-time world champion Max Verstappen)

Halliwell is 'devastated' by the allegations against her husband but will publicly support him

The team took to a very wet track at Silverstone on Tuesday for a filming day ahead of the launch of their new car – with Horner present.

The long-awaited Red Bull RB20, the successor to RB19 – F1's most dominant car ever – will be unveiled at a special launch ceremony in Milton Keynes on Thursday.

Horner is expected to return to the famous race track on Thursday when they officially launch their new RB20 car, as reported by The Telegraph.

Teams are allowed two days of secret filming over the course of the season, and Red Bull have opted to use one of theirs before conducting three days of pre-season testing.

Today, images are circulating online of Verstappen taking to the track for the first time in 2024.

The uncertainty about Horner's future may also continue for a while, with De Telegraaf also reporting that a final judgment on his behavior may not appear for weeks.

A spokesperson for Red Bull GmbH said on Monday: 'After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company initiated an independent investigation.'

They added: 'The company takes these matters very seriously.'

Responding to the allegations, Horner said: 'I completely deny the allegations.'

Red Bull said: 'After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company initiated an independent investigation. This process is carried out by an external specialist lawyer.

'The investigation will be completed as quickly as practicable. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”