Christian Horner was hit with fresh heartbreak days before Red Bull sacking

Christian Horner's dramatic Red Bull exit came just days after the death of his first wife Beverley Allen. She died last Monday at the age of 58, two years after being diagnosed with eye cancer. She is also the mother of Horner's daughter Olivia and had spent 14 years with the former Red Bull team principal.

They were together during his rise to F1 stardom, with her unwavering support crucial to his success in the paddock. Following their split, Horner married his current wife Geri Horner. He remained on friendly terms with Beverley, though, helping to raise her two sons as well as sharing a daughter.

One of her friends told the Daily Mail: "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.

"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 was initially devastated when Horner ended their relationship in 2014, shortly before starting a new one with Geri. However, they managed to patch things up and things between them had been 'harmonious' in recent years.

Beverley died just 10 days before Horner was axed by Red Bull in a development which came as a surprise to many. Laurent Mekies has moved across from sister team Racing Bulls to fill the role vacated by the 51-year-old's departure.

Horner delivered an emotional speech to his Red Bull colleagues at their Milton Keynes base on Wednesday, saying: "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 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.

"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."

Red Bull won the Constructors' Championship on six occasions during Horner's time in charge, while they also managed eight Drivers' Championship titles with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen winning four each.

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