The former Formula One team principal, who spent 21 years at the helm of the team, has spoken candidly about the personal and professional impact of his departure, the controversies surrounding his final seasons, and the support he has received from family—particularly his wife, Geri Halliwell-Horner.

It comes after Mr Horner appeared at York's Barbican for An Audience With Christian Horner last month.

The event, which took place on October 17, was celebrating the release of his new memoir Drive.

Mr Horner said: "She’s got incredible strength and resilience.

"So I’m enormously grateful for the support that she’s given to me even on the difficult days.

"She’s been phenomenal and I think having experienced the highs and lows of media scrutiny she has resilience."

Mr Horner was cleared of allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour made by an employee.

Despite being exonerated, the scrutiny took its toll and he acknowledges that the experience brought him and Geri closer together.

He said: "Walking into the paddock in Bahrain must have been immensely difficult for her because she’s a public person in her own right.

"She’s been phenomenal."

Reflecting on the intense media attention faced by both himself and his wife during her time with the Spice Girls, he drew parallels with his own situation.

He said: "Some of the coverage was absolutely shocking, the scrutiny those five young girls were under at a time when people didn’t really talk about mental health.

"It was brutal."

Mr Horner, who led Red Bull Racing to 124 Grand Prix victories, six constructors’ championships, and eight drivers’ titles, said his dismissal initially left him feeling angry.

However, he said time and perspective have helped him come to terms with the decision.

He said: "The stages of grief start with shock and anger and I went through the first two phases pretty quickly.

"Life’s too short to bear grudges, what does it achieve?

"They made a decision, it was their choice, that’s the reality and I can live with that."

Mr Horner said he remains in contact with Red Bull owners Mark Mateschitz and Chalerm Yoovidhya.

He recounted a congratulatory call from Oliver Mintzlaff, the executive who dismissed him, after a recent Red Bull win.

He said: "That felt a bit weird and was quite different to the conversation we had 15 months earlier.

"But it shows how the passage of time changes things."

He admits to feeling an "identity crisis" after losing a role that had defined him for more than two decades.

He said: "Suddenly after that happens, you walk into a room and who are you?

"You’re no longer CEO and team principal.

"You’re just Christian Horner."