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Red Bull Racing chief executive Christian Horner has been put under investigation by the group’s parent company, casting uncertainty over the Formula One champions ahead of the new season.
Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported on Monday that Horner had been accused of alleged “inappropriate behaviour” citing several sources.
“After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation,” Austrian energy drinks company Red Bull, which owns the team, said, without giving any details of the nature of the allegations.
Red Bull added that the process was 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 added.
Horner has denied the allegations, a spokesman for Red Bull’s racing arm confirmed to the Financial Times.
The 50-year-old has led Red Bull to six constructors’ championships and seven driver’s titles during his two decades as team principal of the reigning Formula One champions. He is also the chief executive of Red Bull Racing, which is sponsored by technology group Oracle.
The Milton Keynes-based team powered to a record-breaking season last year, led by star driver Max Verstappen. He and teammate Sergio Pérez won 21 out of 22 races, the most dominant performance in the sport’s history. The first race of the new season is due to take place in Bahrain on March 2.
Horner, a former racing driver, has run the team since it was formed in 2004. He is also one of the sport’s best-known faces, after featuring heavily in Drive to Survive, the hit Netflix documentary series that helped F1 break into the US.
Investment has poured into Formula One in recent years as the sport has grown. Forbes estimates that the Red Bull F1 team is worth $2.6bn.
Red Bull Technology, which includes the Formula One team, reported revenue of more than £385mn in 2022 and pre-tax profit of more than £15mn, driven by income from commercial partners.
Horner married Geri Halliwell, who made her name as a member of the Spice Girls pop group, in 2015.
In addition to its Formula One team, Red Bull owns several professional football teams and sponsors a range of other sporting events.
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