The former Red Bull Formula 1 boss, who lives on the Oxfordshire border near Banbury, has spoken about the investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against him by a female colleague in 2024.

Mr Horner denied the allegations and a grievance was dismissed following an independent investigation, with a subsequent appeal also dismissed.

Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast, Mr Horner said: “It was a very, very tough period. The easiest thing would have been to roll over and walk away. But I stuck to my principles and believed in the process.

“Because a lot, obviously, was going on behind the scenes in terms of in the build-up to the 2024 season and we're building an engine, we're preparing to defend a championship, and there's an investigation, obviously, that was conducted as with any grievance that is raised in within a company.”

Mr Horner said the process was handled outside the company and described the uncertainty surrounding the investigation.

He said: “I spent my time, I went through the process, they came to a conclusion, they dismissed all the allegations.”

Mr Horner also addressed the impact that the intense scrutiny had on his family and his marriage to former Spice Girls star Halliwell.

He said: “But of course, in the meantime, there'd been certain leakage to media, and that then puts your family in the spotlight and the media circus.

"And that was tough, that tests you as a person, as a character, and the strength of your family and your partner and your wife. I'm married to a very public lady, and Geri’s support during that period was phenomenal, and we came through it.

“And in the meantime, we're still winning races.”