By Jonathan McEvoy for the Daily Mail
20:00 15 February 2024, updated 00:21 16 February 2024
- Christian Horner was present at the launch of Red Bull’s new F1 car on Thursday
- The Red Bull captain is one of the most successful figures in the history of the sport
- Geri Halliwell feared her “life will unravel” as Horner faces allegations of misconduct
A bruised but unfazed Christian Horner insisted on Thursday that he has the full support of his ex-Spice Girl wife Geri following allegations of “controlling behaviour” by a female colleague.
He also said he will still be Red Bull’s boss when the Formula 1 season opens in Bahrain on March 2.
One of the most successful figures in the sport’s history, the 50-year-old Englishman held a series of media interviews at the team car launch in Milton Keynes amid the biggest crisis of his career. He categorically denies the allegations.
Speaking for the first time since the story broke last week, he spoke of “business as usual”. Not quite like that, of course. This controversy overshadows preparations for Red Bull’s upcoming title defense. However, Horner, whatever else is going on, showed bravery by sticking to his scheduled media engagements (although how would it look if he had stepped down?).
To tell the truth, Horner was a bit ashen and not his usual funny self. Normally he would crack a few jokes on such launch days. He might have commented on someone’s shoes or given a playful dig in the ribs. However, while he was far from funny during his lunch engagements, he refused to be written off.
Ahead of testing in Bahrain next week, as a precursor to the first race in the Gulf kingdom, he said: “I have a very supportive family and a very supportive wife.
“My focus was on work and the season ahead.”
Asked if he would be in Bahrain, he said: “Yes.”
There is no timeline for the completion of the investigation into his alleged conduct, a process being conducted by an outside lawyer, an English KC, whose name has not been released. Horner argued his defense for eight hours last Friday.
To Red Bull’s credit, they did their launch in person. Ferrari, on the other hand, put theirs into Zoom. They also failed to make a virtue of the exciting news that they have signed Lewis Hamilton for 2025.
Questions were censored and deflected. The signing of the seven-time world champion was cause for shouting from the rooftops. And Mercedes, even worse, staged an anemic nine-minute mock launch.
Although Horner has come forward, the evidence between accuser and accused means he is advised not to talk about the intricacies of it all for now.
However, he said: “There was a day job to go on. I feel the support within the business and our partners and within the industry. It’s overwhelming.
“There’s a process going on right now. A number of allegations have been made which I completely deny and I have fully complied with this process and will continue to do so until it is addressed.
“Moments of uncertainty bring us together and I have never seen a team more united and supportive than they are.
“Everyone is focused on one thing, which is the performance of this car to go out and defend both world titles that we’ve worked so hard to achieve over the last two years.
“So the car is one that everyone has invested in and I’m looking forward to seeing it in action in Bahrain next week.
“I am totally committed to this team. I’ve been here since the beginning. I have made this group. There have been highs and lows along the way.
“We have won 113 games. He won seven world drivers’ championships. We have won six constructors’ world championships. All in 19 seasons and that’s in the history books.
“But what lies ahead is important. So my focus is on the future. It is in Red Bull’s powertrains that it becomes an engine start-up business. We have a state-of-the-art business system that produces the first Red Bull track car. There is a lot going on on campus.
“I’ve been back and forth to the office doing my job.”
Several key Red Bull figures were in Milton Keynes – home to 1,500 employees – for the launch, including those from the energy drink company’s Salzburg headquarters, including chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff, former chief executive of RB Leipzig football club.
He and Horner talked for a few moments. Mintzlaff also spoke briefly to Max Verstappen, Horner’s co-driver, who said relations with his team leader were “like normal”.
There is some substance to suggestions that there is a move at Salzburg to clip Horner’s wings, a plot that forces the Austrian side to face Chalerm Yoovidhya, the Thai billionaire heir to the company (who was not in Milton Keynes on Thursday, but is believed to be a supporter of Horner).
Whatever the Horner investigation reveals, F1 has a penchant for villainy that makes scheming Thorn fans look like Anchorite monks. But, at least for now, Horner refuses to step down.