Red Bull's Christian Horner rose quickly through the ranks in F1

IN 2005, WHEN an energy drinks manufacturer, keen to have their brand associated with high-octane adventure sports, decided to enter motor racing as outsiders in an environment dominated by legacy automobile companies, they hired an outsider to run the ship too.

- NAMIT KUMAR

At 31, untested and relatively unknown, Christian Horner joined the high table of Formula One as team boss at Red Bull Racing. Motorsport legends like Ron Dennis at McLaren and Jean Todt at Ferrari became overnight contemporaries. A highly politicised sporting environment became his home. Fierce competition, cut-throat margins, intense public scrutiny became an everyday reality.

19 years, seven drivers championships, and six constructors' titles later, Horner stands as the longest-serving team principal in the paddock. Beneficial high-power partnerships, an aptitude for racing strategy, and a ruthless management style have allowed him to excel in an unusual sport.

He has shaped the careers of some of the most successful drivers of this century, and built a team that is currently enjoying one of the most dominant runs in F1 history. His personal charisma, seen in detail in Netflix's docuseries 'Drive to Survive' and his regular appearances at social events alongside his pop star wife, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, has given him a public profile equivalent to some of his drivers.

Yet, over the past month, all of that has threatened to come crashing down. cused of "inappropriate" and "controlling"behaviour, the team's parent company, Austria-based Red Bull GmBH, announced an internal inquiry into what they deemed to be serious allegations last month.

A lack of transparency allowed the rumour mill to take over, and what had begun as reports of complaints with his aggressive management style were later reported, by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, as accusations of sexual misconduct.

On Wednesday, the company announced the conclusion of its inquiry, and gave Horner a clean chit as he joined the team for the first race weekend of the year in Bahrain.