Christian Horner has been mocked on Instagram on the back of his tribute to Red Bull mastermind Adrian Newey.

Horner’s Red Bull team were dealt a major blow on Wednesday when they confirmed Newey, the person responsible for their dominant car, will leave the team after 18 years.

The news is the latest development in a series of events that have unfolded since Horner was accused of ‘coercive behaviour towards a female employee’, before being investigated and subsequently cleared.

Red Bull, meanwhile, insist Newey’s departure is not directly linked to the allegations that have engulfed the team since February, but driven by growing resentment at how he has been less than fully credited for the team’s success.

Red Bull boss Horner took to Instagram to pay tribute to ‘friend’ Newey, but was hit by backlash from fans who seem to refuse to move on from the allegations, which have gone to appeal.

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Christian Horner has been mocked on Instagram following his tribute to Red Bull mastermind Adrian Newey

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Horner, husband of Spice Girl Geri Halliwell (left), was previously accused of ‘coercive behaviour towards a female employee’

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He took to Instagram to pay tribute to Newey (left), who will leave Red Bull after 18 years

The tribute, however, backfired, with fans commenting that the Red Bull boss is to blame

‘For me, when Adrian joined Red Bull, he was already a superstar designer,’ Horner wrote in a statement that mirrored the words from his official statement released by Red Bull. ‘Two decades and 13 championships later he leaves as a true legend.

‘He is also my friend and someone I will be eternally grateful to for everything he brought to our partnership.

‘All of our greatest moments from the past 20 years have come with Adrian’s hand on the technical tiller. The legacy he leaves behind will echo through the halls of Milton Keynes and the RB17 Track Car will be a fitting testament and legacy to his time with us.’

One fan posted in response: ‘Look what you have done do the team. Such a shame honestly!’

Another added: ‘Christian can’t really see that the team is falling apart because of him and Max’s dad.’

‘You’re the reason he’s leaving buddy,’ a third wrote.

Before the start of the current Formula 1 season, Red Bull GmbH in Salzburg, the world champion team’s parent company, said in a statement: ‘The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed.

‘The complainant has a right of appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.

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Horner and Newey have won a total of seven world championships together in their time at Red Bull

Fans showed little mercy when suggesting the reason for Newey’s departure from the team

‘The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and, therefore, we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned. Red Bull will continue striving to meet the highest workplace standards.’

The exact nature of the complaints remain unknown, but what appeared to be intimate WhatsApp exchanges with a female colleague were sent to Formula One’s most influential figures.

The bombshell email contained 79 documents, including hundreds of messages, many of them apparently of a sexual nature.

The anonymous sender copied in leading people in the sport, such as FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali, as well as accredited media gathered in Bahrain for the scandal-ridden opening race of the season.

Horner is married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, and the pair have remained determined to stay strong since the allegations surfaced.

They have been seen together in public a number of times since, with Halliwell attending races hand-in-hand with her husband.

Newey, meanwhile, may take up a position at Ferrari ahead of the new regulations due for introduction in 2026, which would be a major boost to the team.

A move to Italy would bring F1’s most successful designer into partnership with Lewis Hamilton, who is joining the Scuderia next year.

That deal has yet to be done, but it is understood that Newey, 65, is wanted by Ferrari to act as their ‘super consultant’. He currently earns £15million a year at Red Bull and could double his salary with the potential switch.

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What appeared to be intimate WhatsApp exchanges between Horner and a female colleague were sent to Formula One’s most influential figures earlier this year

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Halliwell and Horner remained strong, however, continuing to appear in public together following the allegations

Geri Halliwell and Christian Horner arrive together at Grand Prix

The images shared by Horner included photos of celebrations involving the pair, who have won seven drivers’ championship titles during their time together.

What was meant to be a heartfelt post didn’t go to plan, however, and comments continued to roll in criticising the Red Bull principal.

‘You are fully aware he probably left because of you?’ one fan wrote, accompanied by a laughing face emoji.

Another posted: ‘He’s leaving the team cuz of you bro,’ while a third wrote: ‘It’s ur fault.’