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