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CHRISTIAN Horner has been CLEARED of any wrongdoing after bombshell claims were made by a female colleague about his behaviour.

The F1 chief, 50, will remain at the Red Bull Racing team’s helm after an internal three-week investigation dismissed the grievance.

Horner leads the all-conquering racing team of world champion Max Verstappen
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Horner leads the all-conquering racing team of world champion Max VerstappenCredit: Getty
Horner with wife Geri, whom he married in 2015
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Horner with wife Geri, whom he married in 2015Credit: Getty

Team principal Horner, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was initially under investigation over alleged "inappropriate" behaviour towards a female staffer.

Horner, who is paid £8million a year, vehemently denied all claims that threatened his position as leader of the all-conquering team of world champion Max Verstappen.

He has now been cleared of misconduct, Red Bull Austria this afternoon confirmed, after an independent barrister was employed to review the evidence.

A spokesman said: "The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed."

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The team's parent company confirmed the complainant "has a right of appeal".

The spokesman added: "Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial. 

"The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned.

"Red Bull will continue striving to meet the highest workplace standards.”

Horner today flew out to Bahrain ahead of the F1 season-opening Grand Prix on Saturday.

Christian Horner makes FIRST public appearance since bombshell ‘inappropriate behaviour’ claims at Red Bull F1 launch

He arrived by private jet at 6:25pm local time - and just seven minutes later a statement was released from his team saying he had been cleared.

Throughout the three-week probe, the message from within the team has been that it is "business as usual".

Horner was present at the pre-season testing in Bahrain last week and Red Bull's 2024 car launch days prior.

The team principal, who has led the Austrian team since its formation in 2005, was quizzed by an independent barrister in a private location late into the afternoon on February 9.

Horner is said to have privately vowed to his friends he will "clear his name".

He will now lead the team into their 20th season in the sport having received the full support of Red Bull's Thai owners, headed by Chalerm Yoovidhya, son of the firm's co-founder Chaleo.


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Red Bull has been under pressure to resolve the matter with Ford CEO Jim Farley demanding a resolution as he expressed his disapproval of "the unresolved allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Red Bull Racing leadership".

Last week, Horner addressed the probe and declared he wanted a conclusion as "soon as possible".

He was previously reportedly urged to resign by ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone - and F1 insiders did not "expect him to survive in his role", according to .

F1 was rocked by the news that the sport's longest-standing team principal had been placed under investigation by Red Bull's Austria-based parent company.

Horner's wife Geri, 51, is understood to be , who she married in 2015.

Earlier this month, she was pictured smiling alongside her husband at a horse racing event in Badbury Rings, Dorset.

She was allegedly reduced to tears when news of the scandal broke - but privately insisted he did nothing wrong.

A look at Christian Horner's life and career

CHRISTIAN Horner is among the most well-known names in Formula One having helped build Red Bull into one of the biggest teams in the sport.

1973 - Born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

1991 - Wins a Formula Renault scholarship after impressing in karting races

1993-1997 - Competed in a host of competitions including British Formula Three, British Formula Two, and Formula 3000

1997 - Founded and developed the F3000 team Arden

1999 - Retired from driving and continued developing the Arden team

2005 - Appointed head of Red Bull team, becoming the youngest ever team principal at that time

2009 - Wins his first races as team principal with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber

2010 - Wins the Constructors' Championship and Drivers' Championship with Vettel - the first of four doubles in a row

2013 - Has a daughter with ex-wife Beverly Allen shortly before the couple split

2014 - Gets engaged to Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell

2015 - Marries Halliwell in Woburn, Bedfordshire

2017 - Horner and Halliwell welcome their son

2021 - Wins another Drivers' Championship with Max Verstappen, beating Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the season

2022-23 - Red Bull win the Drivers' Championship and Constructors' Championship two years in a row

Horner previously praised his wife for her support and told Dutch journalists: "I have a very supportive family and a very supportive wife.

"My focus has been on the job and the season ahead. I'm not going to talk about private matters, but my family have been hugely supportive."

The Red Bull Racing boss has reportedly referred to the allegations as “nuts”.

The F1 chief has overseen a huge period of success for the racing team – winning multiple F1 championships with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.

Red Bull has won seven Formula One world drivers’ championships and six world ­constructors’ titles under Horner's leadership.

Last season, the team won 21 of the 22 races on the global F1 tour, and Verstappen, 26, won the drivers’ crown.

Horner was awarded a CBE for services to motorsport in the 2024 New Year’s Honours List.

Ahead of the probe into Horner's conduct, there were reports of an unrelated internal power struggle waging within Red Bull.

Rumours of issues between the team's leadership have swirled since the death of billionaire co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022 and the team drafted a new board of directors.

Former RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff was appointed chief executive.

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Despite Red Bull enjoying its most successful season in F1 history in 2023, there was speculation of a rift between Horner and Helmut Marko - Red Bull GmBH's motorsport advisor.

Rumours even went as far as to suggest Horner was determined to get rid of Marko, 80, from the team.

Spice Girl Geri Halliwell has spent a day at the races with her husband on Sunday
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Spice Girl Geri Halliwell has spent a day at the races with her husband on SundayCredit: christianhorner/Instagram
Verstappen and Horner the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar in October 2023
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Verstappen and Horner the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar in October 2023Credit: Getty
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