Horner to receive upgraded honour in King Charles III's New Year Honours

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner is to receive a CBE in King Charles III's New Year Honours list, with it being an upgrade on his OBE.

In 2013, Horner was awarded an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) - the second rung on the British Honours system after MBE (Member of the British Empire) - for services to motorsport after guiding the team to its first four World Championship doubles between 2010 and 2013 with Sebastian Vettel.

In further recognition of his services to Formula 1 and motorsport, Horner's honour is to be upgraded to a CBE (Commander of the British Empire). The next highest honour is a knighthood.

"It was an unexpected distinction a decade ago to be presented with an OBE and to receive this second award, a CBE, is one for which I am hugely grateful and deeply honoured," Horner said.

"It is a great privilege to lead and work alongside such a phenomenal team as Red Bull Racing and also to work in an industry that contributes so much to the UK economy.

"I am enormously proud of what we have achieved with Red Bull in Formula 1 and in the wider high technology arena and I am hugely honoured to be recognised for that effort."

Other motorsport CBEs include Red Bull Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey, legendary McLaren and Brabahm designer Gordon Murray as well as World Champions John Surtees and Nigel Mansell.

In other motorsport honours news, former McLaren boss Ron Dennis has received a knighthood.