Method One staff boss Christian Horner was grilled for eight hours at the moment over alleged “controlling” behaviour.
The Purple Bull Racing chief — married to Spice Lady Geri Halliwell — was questioned by a barrister late into the afternoon at a personal location.
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The 50-year-old appeared grim-faced earlier as he was being whisked to the crunch assembly.
An F1 supply mentioned: “Christian has been in there, and having his chat which has been ongoing for a lot of hours. We hope for a swift decision to this however which may be unlikely.”
The supply went on: “This isn’t a trial and we’re not going to have a solution and an consequence by the tip of the day.
“This isn’t one thing that’s going to be rectified that shortly.
“However Christian has not been sacked or requested to resign and he isn’t going to resign.
“We’re in an investigation and we’ve to respect the integrity of the investigation, which suggests letting it run its course.”
The Solar informed on Tuesday how Horner was being investigated over allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” in direction of a feminine colleague.
He was seen as a chauffeur-driven automobile picked him up from his North London residence at 7.15am.
Unshaven Horner tried to drive a smile after clambering into the again of the BMW with a briefcase.
Purple Bull introduced in unbiased attorneys following the grievance.
The assembly is known to have taken place in London slightly than close to the racing staff’s base in Milton Keynes or Purple Bull’s HQ in Salzburg, Austria.
Late this afternoon, Horner was nonetheless being quizzed after the assembly bought off to an early begin.
Horner, who runs the all-conquering F1 staff of world champion Max Verstappen — arch rival of British favorite Sir Lewis Hamilton — has denied the controlling behaviour claims.
The allegations are mentioned to centre on considerations a couple of strict work regime and don’t embrace sexual impropriety.
Horner, who has been Purple Bull Racing’s “principal” since its founding in 2005, was quizzed by an exterior barrister employed by the Austrian firm.
Purple Bull mentioned it started an inquiry after being made conscious of the grievance, understood to have been lodged in Austria.
As we speak, BBC Sport reported insiders had informed them that they didn’t anticipate Horner to outlive the furore.
Workers on the staff’s UK base in Milton Keynes have mentioned they’d no information of the allegations when approached.
The probe threatens to overshadow the beginning of the brand new F1 season — with the primary apply classes for the Bahrain Grand Prix going down on February 29.
Nevertheless, insiders say a call on Horner’s future on the helm of the staff was unlikely to be reached following at the moment’s first assembly with the barrister.
Our supply added: “Individuals are anticipating this to be over earlier than the beginning of the F1 season, however that simply isn’t going to occur.
“It will likely be an extended course of than that as we’ve to conduct the investigation completely.”
Horner has reportedly referred to the allegations as “nuts” and mentioned publicly: “I utterly deny these claims.”
Spouse Geri, 51, is known to be standing by her husband and has informed friends: “Christian has carried out nothing incorrect.”
Former racing driver Horner and Geri married at a church ceremony in Woburn, Beds, in 2015 after a year-long engagement.
They’ve a seven-year-old son collectively and Horner has a daughter from a earlier relationship.
Purple Bull Racing has received seven Method One world drivers’ championships and 6 world constructors’ titles because the staff’s formation below Horner 19 years in the past.
Final season, the staff received 21 of the 22 races on the worldwide F1 tour, and Verstappen, 26, received the drivers’ crown.
Horner was awarded a CBE for companies to motorsport within the 2024 New Yr’s Honours Checklist.
Purple Bull Racing declined to remark at the moment.
In an announcement earlier this week, it mentioned it was probing “sure latest allegations”.
A spokesman added: “This course of, which is already below approach, is being carried out by an exterior specialist barrister.”
Horner stays some of the influential figures inside Purple Bull and Method One.
If he will get the chop, insiders anticipate him to get replaced by an government from the Austrian aspect of Purple Bull.
A probable favorite can be German businessman Oliver Mintzlaff, former head of RB Leipzig soccer membership.
