Devastating twist to Christian Horner sacking after first wife’s death

Just days before Christian Horner’s Red Bull sacking shocked the F1 world, he received some devastating news about his first wife.

Christian Horner’s dramatic sacking as boss of Red Bull came just days after his first wife died following a lengthy cancer battle.

Beverley Allen, 58, who is also the mother of Horner’s daughter Olivia, 11, died last Monday, two years after being diagnosed with eye cancer, The Sun reports.

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The pair had been together for 14 years before Horner married Geri Halliwell in 2015.

One of Beverley’s friends told MailOnline: “Beverley was a lovely woman and it is so cruel what has happened to her.

“She found out she had eye cancer a couple of years ago and she was aware that it wasn’t going to be a very good prognosis but it is still a devastating shock.

“Beverley was loved by everyone who knew her. It’s just heartbreaking.”

Beverley Allen (right) has died after a battle with cancer. Photo: Instagram

Horner was sacked this week after a two-decade stint with the Red Bull team. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)

The pair were together throughout his rise to F1 stardom throughout the early and mid 2000s.

And days after her death, Horner was dramatically sacked by Red Bull after leading the team to multiple constructors’ championships.

The unceremonious firing comes after he was previously embroiled in a sexting scandal over messages he allegedly sent to a female employee.

Horner denied the accusations throughout the scandal.

Alongside the F1 boss, many of Horner’s allies were also fired on a day that sent shockwaves through the sport.

The move was part of a clear-out by the team’s Austrian parent company, with Horner giving an emotional leaving speech to hundreds of his staff at their Milton Keynes HQ.

Instagram photo of Horner and Allen with their daughter. Photo: Instagram

Horner married Geri Halliwell in 2015. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Many had been appointed to their jobs by the 51-year-old team chief and a source called the relationships a “double-edged sword”.

Horner was replaced immediately by Frenchman Laurent Mekies, 48, who has run Red Bull’s sister team Racing Bulls since the start of 2024.

Horner will remain employed by the company, where he is thought to make £9 million ($18.6 million) a year, but is effectively on indefinite gardening leave.

Horner was the longest-reigning F1 boss, having taken charge of the Austrian team when it was bought from Jaguar in 2005.

In May, he batted away rumours he would join Ferrari, declaring: “It’s always flattering to be associated with other teams, but my commitment is with Red Bull.”

In a tearful farewell speech at the team’s Milton Keynes base, Horner received lengthy ovations from his colleagues.

Horner said: “Yesterday, I was informed by Red Bull that operationally I would no longer be involved with the business or the team moving forward.

“I will still remain employed by the company, but, operationally the baton will be handed over.

“It came as a shock to myself. I’ve had a chance to reflect over the last 12 hours and wanted to stand in front of all of you to break this news.

Allen (right) with Aussie Mark Webber. Photo: Instagram

“And to express my gratitude to each and every single member of the team that has given so much during the last 20-and-a-half years that I’ve been here.

“When I arrived 20 years ago, with a few less grey hairs, I walked into a team and did not know what to expect.

“But I was immediately welcomed and we started to build what became a powerhouse in F1.

“Watching and being part of this team, has been the biggest privilege of my life.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission