Is Christian Horner the sufferer of a Red Bull energy battle?

Allegations towards  Christian Horner come because the Red Bull boss stays embroiled in a F1 energy battle that has sparked rumours of a bid by key figures to unseat him from energy. 

Horner, 50, the husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, 51, has been accused of ‘extremely controlling behaviour’ by a feminine colleague – though he denies the claims and an investigation is underway. 

Allegations referring to Horner have been flying round inside the sport over the weekend, forward of the brand new season beginning subsequent month. But they’re flatly denied by the father-of-two and no proof of that nature has been established. 

A subtext of the row is the tug of warfare between the group Horner runs in Milton Keynes and the dad or mum firm in Salzburg, Austria – with each rival centres divided by a distinction of outlook relationship again to the demise of the corporate’s founder Dietrich Mateschitz in October 2022. 

The £21.8billion magnate was a pal of Bernie Ecclestone – who beneficial Horner, then making a reputation for himself because the boss of Arden in Formula 3000 and on the lookout for a break into Formula One. 

Ecclestone and Horner shortly turned shut pals, with Horner appearing as greatest man at Ecclestone’s third wedding ceremony. 

This responsibility was reciprocated when Horner moved into a better realm of fame by way of his marriage to Geri. 

‘Christian is closest to the old-fashioned of bosses I used to know,’ Ecclestone as soon as instructed the Mail, additionally suggesting his pal as a successor as the game’s ringmaster, a notion blown out of the water when American conglomerate, Liberty Media, purchased the game in 2017.

Since Mateschitz’s demise aged 79, Red Bull has been much less clearly dominated by an overarching figurehead – with key figures jostling for place.

One of these is Oliver Mintzlaff, the managing director and former boss of RB Leipzig. 

Referring to the German, a Red Bull observer stated: ‘Mintzlaff needs Horner to depart, not least as a result of he has grow to be too senior and too costly for his or her liking. But the Thais on the principle board aren’t so certain.’

The Thai contingent is headed by Chalerm Yoovidhya, son of Red Bull’s co-founder Chaleo, together with Mateschitz. Chalerm. 

As an inheritor to the corporate fortune, Yoovidhya is estimated to be value some £30billion. 

He stays a Horner loyalist, having turned as much as race weekends, together with to see Verstappen clinch the title in Qatar in October. 

Another important determine is Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s 80-year-old motorsport adviser — an Austrian believed to be extra consistent with Mintzlaff’s outlook than Horner’s.

‘Marko was given a contract renewal final yr, however he noticed his cash halved,’ stated a well-placed F1 determine yesterday. 

There is the notion that he needs his revenge on Horner, and needs him out.’

It comes as a pal of Geri Halliwell instructed MailOn-line she was ‘devastated’ by the allegations towards her husband.

MailOn-line understands the accusations surrounding the husband of Spice Girls singer relate to claims of wrongdoing made by a group worker.

Horner who is anticipated to stay within the job he has held since 2005 whereas the inner investigation is carried out, stated: ‘I fully deny these claims.’

A press release from Red Bull Austria – the Austrian power drinks agency which owns the F1 group – confirmed a probe was ongoing. It stated: ‘After turning into conscious of latest allegations, the corporate initiated an unbiased investigation. This investigation, which is already underway, is being carried out by an exterior specialised lawyer.

‘The firm takes these issues extraordinarily significantly and the investigation shall be full as quickly as practicable. It wouldn’t be acceptable to make any additional feedback right now.’

Confirmation of the probe as we speak follows 36 hours of denials from the group primarily based in Milton Keynes of any alleged wrongdoing. Horner has additionally described the accusations as ‘nuts’, in a message protesting his innocence to MailOn-line.

Horner and Halliwell married in 2015 and have had one youngster collectively, Montague, seven.

Halliwell had a daughter Bluebell, 16, with screenwriter Sacha Gervasi in 2005, whereas Horner shares Olivia, 10, along with his ex-partner Beverley Allen. 

Horner, who has led Red Bull since their arrival on the grid in 2005, has overseen a interval of big success for the group.

The outfit have received seven drivers’ championships and 6 constructors championships beneath Horner. 

Last season, Red Bull received 21 of the 22 races on the calendar as Max Verstappen claimed the drivers’ title.

Horner celebrated his fiftieth birthday in December, with stars in attendance together with Ronnie Wood and Sir Rod Stewart. 

Take That singer Gary Barlow was additionally seen tapping away on the piano as the remainder of the visitors serenaded him with choruses of pleased birthday, whereas R&B singer Jade Jones was seen posing for an image with the Red Bull chief.

Horner was additionally offered with a three-tier birthday cake which learn ‘World Champion’ – having received six Constructors’ Championships.

Famous faces from the sporting world additionally went to the social gathering, with Bernie Ecclestone seen having fun with the festivities alongside his spouse Brazilian Fabiana Flosi.

Horner shared an appreciation submit on his Instagram after the occasion, writing: ‘Last evening my pretty spouse Geri fully stunned me with a very sudden dinner with some pretty pals. Looks like we’re forming a band.’

Meanwhile, Halliwell took to Instagram to share a collection of photographs with the next caption: ‘A shock belated birthday celebration for @christianhorner and the Supergroup! @officialgarybarlow, you are superb!’.

She additionally gushed: ‘You are my greatest pal. I like you greater than phrases can say and I’m so grateful that you simply’re in my life. I believe you are an incredible individual, you are sort, you are loving, you are beneficiant.

‘I’m simply actually actually grateful and I simply need to want you the most effective, this new chapter in your life, simply brilliance. You’re an incredible man and I simply need to want you cheerful, pleased birthday. I like you.’ 

Last month MailOn-line completely revealed that Horner and Halliwell had submitted plans to construct a swimming pool at their Grade II-listed mansion.

Planning paperwork present the couple have utilized to put in the pool of their backyard, alongside new ornamental planting and a warmth pump to maintain the water heat.

In the paperwork, the couple say the works to the historic household house are being carried out in an effort to modernise the grounds – as they hope to ‘improve’ its ‘distinctive character’.

The 40ft by 16ft pool full with a fountain, topiary, sunbeds and a 6ft-deep finish alongside their greenhouse and to the aspect of the principle house, the plans present.

Many of the paperwork have been submitted on January 2 – days after Horner was named within the New Year’s List for companies to motorsport following one other victorious season at Red Bull. 

But its place within the current 18th century vegetable backyard has been criticised by heritage specialists as a consequence of a ‘excessive probability of buried stays’ being discovered through the excavation. 

While senior conservation officer Mandy Lumb stated the proposal wouldn’t have an effect on the listed constructing, she stated: ‘Given the excavation shall be in shut proximity to the present home and doubtlessly over stays of the previous home there’s a excessive probability of buried stays; the recommendation of the Archaeological Advisor must be sought on this matter.’

She added that the outbuilding, the place the plant is about to be housed, must be repaired as a part of the plans.

And she criticised the Horners for not making use of for planning permission for a brick wall and a collection of coated seating areas, which she deems ‘unauthorised’ until the couple can get permission.

It comes only a yr after the couple utilized to broaden their mansion with a complete new flooring because the planning utility stating they want extra room for his or her ‘rising household.’