Christian Horner is ‘worn down and worn out’ amid Red Bull’s current probe into the 50-year-old amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
Horner strongly denies the claims from a Red Bull employee and is adamant he’s done nothing wrong, with the F1 chief still working as normal as the start of the new season rapidly approaches.
Red Bull had wanted the matter to be dealt with swiftly, with an independent lawyer recently grilling Horner for eight hours.
However, there’s still no end to the saga in sight and Horner continues to operate in his current role of team principal as normal.
Christian Horner is said to be ‘worn down and worn out’ amid Red Bull’s current investigation
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He has put on a brave face in public and, earlier this week, said he was ‘dreadfully sorry’ he couldn’t answer more questions about the investigation.
Yet a source has told the Daily Mail that the 50-year-old is ‘worn down and worn out’ with the current situation taking a toll.
“He looks worn down and worn out,” an unnamed colleague is quoted as saying.
Horner married Spice Girls star Geri Halliwell back in May 2015, with the pair wedding in a star-studded ceremony in Bedfordshire.
Previous reports have suggested Geri is in a ‘state of absolute turmoil’ and has hit ‘rock bottom’ amid the probe into her husband.
And another insider says Geri has ‘gone to ground’ ever since the claims surfaced, though she continues to stand by Horner.
“Geri is devastated and has been struggling to eat and sleep. Her family and fellow Spice Girls are worried about her,” they’re quoted as saying.
“I hear Christian is trying to pep her up to stay positive, but she has gone to ground in the way she did after she left the Spice Girls.
“She’s not speaking to anyone.”
It’s also claimed Horner has been reassuring Geri that the matter will be resolved.
She is ‘completely loyal’ to the Red Bull chief. However, as the investigation goes on, she could miss next week’s season opener in Bahrain.
Red Bull have been successful during Horner’s time with the team, with the Briton previously appointed back in 2005.
He helped Sebastian Vettel win four F1 titles on the trot between 2010 and 2013, with the German establishing himself as one of the best drivers of his generation in the process.
And Horner has played a key role in the dominance of Max Verstappen in recent years, too.
Verstappen has won the past three F1 titles, ending Lewis Hamilton’s time as champion along the way.
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Geri Halliwell has ‘gone to ground’ amid the probe into Red Bull chief Christian Horner
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And whether Horner is able to continue at Red Bull, and guide the team to more success, remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, earlier this week, Mercedes chief Toto Wolff called for ‘transparency’ amid the investigation into Horner.
And Wolff believes the current situation is a ‘issue for all of F1’, instead of just Red Bull.
“There is a lot of speculation that has been happening over the past weeks and lots of things that are going on,” stated the Austrian.
“What is important is for a process with rigour.
Christian Horner is working at Red Bull as normal as the start of the new F1 season rapidly approaches
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“I think what Red Bull has started as an independent investigation, if this is done in the right way, with transparency, that is something we need to look at.
“F1 and the teams, we stand for inclusion, equality, fairness, diversity and it is not only talking about it, it is living it day in and day out.
“These are the standards we are setting ourselves. We are a global sport, one of the most important sports in the world, and we are role models.
“It is not just a team issue. It is an issue for all of F1.”
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
