SPICE Girl Geri Halliwell is facing an awkward reunion with Christian Horner after a string of texts and photos sent by him to a female colleague were leaked.
The private messages were leaked just hours after Geri was reportedly due to fly to Bahrain and join her husband for the F1 season opener.
GettyGeri Halliwell was reportedly due to fly to Bahrain to join her husband[/caption]
GettyThe Red Bull boss, 50, was cleared after an internal investigation concluded[/caption]
GettyHorner was pictured hugging Verstappen in Bahrain[/caption]
The pop star was said to be “relieved and elated” as her husband was cleared of any wrongdoing following a three-week internal probe for inappropriate behaviour.
But in a dramatic twist a string of WhatsApp messages, which also mention Horner’s wife Geri, were leaked to journalists from an anonymous email.
The messages contain private conversations between the Red Bull chief and a staffer who appears to be a woman.
While there doesn’t appear to be any explicit images in the messages, some of the texts are sexually suggestive in nature.
In response to the leak, Horner said: “I won’t comment on anonymous speculation but to reiterate I have always denied the allegations, I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and fully co-operated with it every step of the way.
“It was a thorough and fair investigation conducted by an independent specialist barrister and it has concluded dismissing the complaint made. I remain fully focused on the start of the season.”
Geri, 51, has stood firmly by her husband throughout the three-week-long probe.
A source close to Geri said she has been a “rock” for Christian but the last few weeks have been “hell” for the family.
“This has been weeks of hell for Christian and his family. As he has said all along, these claims are ‘nuts’,” they said.
“An exhaustive investigation has been carried out and the allegations have proven to be nonsense.
“Geri has been rock solid behind Christian — and his whole family is relieved and elated that it’s over.
“Those feelings are there but no one close to Christian feels like celebrating much after what he’s been through.
“For the time being his focus is back fully on winning races.”
Horner was cleared after the three-week internal investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour was concluded.
Red Bull Racing’s Austrian parent company yesterday confirmed the woman’s claims had been thrown out.
A statement said: “Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed. Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.
“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 team’s parent company confirmed the complainant, who is understood to still be working at the team’s Milton Keynes HQ, “has a right of appeal”.
Horner, who is paid £8million a year, vehemently denied all claims throughout the probe.
The Red Bull chief was pictured smiling as he arrived in Bahrain this morning for the F1 season opener.
He grinned as the team got to work at the Bahrain International Circuit and hugged star Max Verstappen as they greeted each other.
Speaking to press he said he was “pleased” that the investigation had come to an end.
He told Sky Sports: “I’m just pleased that the process is over, I can’t comment about it.
“The focus is very much now on the Grand Prix and the season ahead and trying to defend both of our titles.
“I’m pleased to be here in Bahrain and with the team, focussed on the season ahead.
“The team has never been stronger.”
Instagram/gerihalliwellhornerGeri has stood by her husband and insisted he had done nothing wrong[/caption]
Instagram/gerihalliwellhornerHorner and Geri pictured at a horse racing event in Badbury Rings, Dorset[/caption]
A look at Christian Horner’s life and career
CHRISTIAN Horner is among the most well-known names in Formula One having helped build Red Bull into one of the biggest teams in the sport.
1973 – Born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
1991 – Wins a Formula Renault scholarship after impressing in karting races
1993-1997 – Competed in a host of competitions including British Formula Three, British Formula Two, and Formula 3000
1997 – Founded and developed the F3000 team Arden
1999 – Retired from driving and continued developing the Arden team
2005 – Appointed head of Red Bull team, becoming the youngest ever team principal at that time
2009 – Wins his first races as team principal with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber
2010 – Wins the Constructors’ Championship and Drivers’ Championship with Vettel – the first of four doubles in a row
2013 – Has a daughter with ex-wife Beverly Allen shortly before the couple split
2014 – Gets engaged to Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell
2015 – Marries Halliwell in Woburn, Bedfordshire
2017 – Horner and Halliwell welcome their son
2021 – Wins another Drivers’ Championship with Max Verstappen, beating Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the season
2022-23 – Red Bull win the Drivers’ Championship and Constructors’ Championship two years in a row