F1: targeted by an internal investigation, the boss of Red Bull will be heard on Friday

Christian Horner est dans l'œil du cyclone. MAXPPP – ALI HAIDER

D'après un journal néerlandais, Christian Horner est accusé de "comportement inapproprié".

Christian Horner, historic boss of the Red Bull Formula 1 team targeted by an internal investigation, will be interviewed on Friday, several British media reported on Tuesday. According to a Dutch newspaper, Horner is accused internally of "inappropriate behavior".

Red Bull, which did not respond to requests from AFP at this stage, announced on Monday that it had "launched an independent investigation", after & ;quot;having become aware of certain recent allegations" regarding its director.

“This procedure, which is already underway, is being carried out by an external specialist lawyer (at Red Bull, Editor's note). The company takes these matters very seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as possible. It would not be appropriate to make any further comments at this stage, a Red Bull spokesperson said, quoted by the British news agency Press Association (PA).

Quoted by the Dutch daily De Telegraaf, Chris Horner immediately indicated "totally rejects these allegations", which have therefore not been specified at this stage. The 50-year-old Briton has been director of Red Bull since he appeared in the F1 paddocks in 2005.

Under his era, seven world championship titles

Under his era, Red Bull has won seven drivers' world championship titles, four for German Sebastian Vettel (from 2010 to 2013) and three for Dutchman Max Verstappen (from 2021 to 2023), as well as six world manufacturers' crowns (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2022 and 2023).

The next F1 season will begin on March 2 in Bahrain, after three days of testing in this Gulf state (February 21-23). Until then, Red Bull, which crushed the competition last season by winning 21 of the 22 Grands Prix, must present its 2024 single-seater on February 15, which will be driven by its reigning champion Verstappen and his Mexican teammate Sergio Pérez.