Christian Horner is set to be sacked as the boss of Red Bull.
The sensational news ends the longest reign of Formula One team principals in the sport and comes a year after the scandal that engulfed him over texts he apparently sent to a female employee.
An announcement is expected in the next hour.
Horner has been at the top of the team since its inception in 2005, and has led them in two phases to world championship success through Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ championships.
He survived accusations of coercive behaviour towards his colleague – and was twice cleared in internal investigations of wrongdoing.
He was told by his wife, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, to make the controversy ‘all go away’ – a feat he pulled off for 16 months. But, with results poor, his star driver Max Verstappen unhappy with progress, he has now paid the price.
Christian Horner is set to be axed by his Formula One team Red Bull today
The 51-year-old helped Red Bull to win six Constructors’ titles in 13 years with the team
Helmut Marko (left) is thought to have been informed of the decision and is said to be in support of the move
His £12million-a-year job was secured by support from the Thai majority owners of Red Bull but that seems to have worn out.
He was in charge at Silverstone only this past weekend, seemingly master of all he surveys, including at the annual Clay Day event last Wednesday, close to his own country house in Oxfordshire.
Red Bull have been contacted for comment but have not responded.
Red Bull Racing’s PR department are being sidelined in this debacle. An email has arrived directing all media inquiries to be addressed to their parent energy drinks company in Austria.
According to reports from German outlet Bild, the energy drink company are thought to be currently negotiating the termination of Horner’s contract, which will end with immediate effect.
Furthermore, he is expected to have said his farewells at the team’s Milton Keynes’ factory at 10am on Wednesday morning.
It is thought that the ultimate decision-maker was Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of the Red Bull Group, with owners Chelerm Voovidhya and Mark Mateschitz, as well as key figure Helmut Marko, have all been informed of the news and are thought to support it.
More to follow.
