Red Bull Formula One team principal Christian Horner is under investigation following allegations of inappropriate behavior in a report by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, a spokesperson for Red Bull, the parent company of Red Bull Racing, confirmed to The Athletic on Monday. The spokesperson said the investigation is ongoing but declined to provide any additional information.
“After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation,” read an accompanying statement. “This process, which is already under way, 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 has denied the allegations against him, according to the original report in De Telegraaf. No additional details regarding the allegations of inappropriate behavior were provided in the report.
Horner, 50, is F1’s longest-serving team principal. He took charge of the Red Bull team upon its entry into the sport in 2005 after the energy drink giant acquired the Jaguar F1 team.
Red Bull Racing will celebrate its 20th season in F1 this year, and is set to launch its new car, the RB20, on Feb. 14, before commencing its title defense on March 2 in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
The team had the most dominant season by a team in F1 history last year, winning 21 out of 22 races as Max Verstappen swept to his third world title with 19 victories. Teammate Sergio Pérez finished second in the standings with two race wins.
During Horner’s time as team principal, Red Bull has won six F1 constructors’ championships and seven drivers’ titles.
Horner received an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s 2013 birthday honors, and was recently made an OBE in the King’s 2024 New Year honors for services to motorsport.
(Photo: Jakub Porzycki / NurPhoto via Getty Images)
