Horner faces grilling over F1 allegations

Christian Horner will be interviewed on Friday over allegations of inappropriate controlling behaviour towards a female colleague, with all parties keen to reach a conclusion before the launch of Red Bull’s new car a week tomorrow.

Formula One was rocked on Monday by the news that Horner, the longest-standing team principal in the paddock, had been placed under investigation by parent company Red Bull Gmbh in Austria. Red Bull Austria said that after being informed of “certain recent allegations” it had hired an “external, specialist lawyer” to look into the claims. It added that it would “not be appropriate to comment further at this time”.

Horner issued a firm denial, saying: “I reject these claims entirely.”

Horner, who represented Red Bull as usual in Monday’s F1 Commission meeting in London, was also working yesterday. There is no suggestion that he will be stood down pending the outcome of the investigation.

Rumours surfaced last weekend that Red Bull Austria had compiled a “dossier of incriminating material” regarding alleged inappropriate controlling behaviour by Horner towards a colleague.

As the matter is now the subject of an official independent investigation it seems unlikely that any of that alleged material will surface any time soon.

Telegraph Sport understands the allegations stem from the Mexico race weekend towards the end of last season.

Horner’s accuser, who is still working at Red Bull while the investigation is carried out, is also due to be interviewed on Friday.