Red Bull Boss Christian Horner Faces Hearing Over Allegations Of Inappropriate Behavior

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner is under investigation for allegations of "inappropriate behavior" and will reportedly face a hearing later this week.

There hasn't been any official word on the nature of the allegations. However, it has been widely reported that the complaint was filed by a female team member. Furthermore, BBC News reports that the allegations relate to "inappropriate behavior of a controlling nature."

Red Bull released a statement on Monday after this news broke, and announced that an investigation into the claims had been launched.

"After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation," the statement reads. This process, which is already under way, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister.

"The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time."

On Tuesday it was revealed that Horner will meet with the independent investigators in a hearing on Friday, February 9.

Horner — who has been with Red Bull since the team joined the grid in 2005 — has denied any wrongdoing.

"I completely deny these claims," he told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. He will remain in his position throughout the investigation.

READ: LEWIS HAMILTON MAKES FIRST STATEMENT SINCE BOMBSHELL FERRARI MOVE WAS ANNOUNCED 

An investigation into Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is the latest bit of drama to hit the F1 world before a 2024 car has even hit the track. (© Jay Janner/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK)

There Has Been Some Serious F1 Drama Over The Last Few Weeks

With Horner's future at Red Bull about as uncertain as it has ever been in his almost 20-year tenure, we have officially gotten a hat trick of stunning F1 drama before half of the grid has even revealed its 2024 liveries.

First was the surprise dismissal of Haas team principal (and former Red Bull employee) Guenther Steiner. Not long after that came the news that Lewis Hamilton will move from Mercedes to Ferrari in 2025.

And now, this news about an investigation into Horner.

Red Bull will no doubt be trying to handle this situation as best it can, but also as quickly as it can. That's because the team is set to launch its 2024 car, the RB20, on February 15. 

Who knows how long a proper, thorough investigation into the allegations will take, but you'd have to think they'll try to have it done before the car launch.

Just imagine how excruciatingly awkward it would be for this to be hanging over the team while they try to be like, "Look, we did something a little different with the floor…"

We'll see what happens over the next few weeks, but this is a shocking situation Formula 1's longest-tenured team boss mantle Horner claimed with the retirement of former AlphaTauri (now known as Visa Cash App RB) team principal Franz Tost.

Under Horner's leadership, Red Bull has won seven Drivers' Championships and six Constructors' Championships.