CHRISTIAN Horner showed “micro-signals” of fury as he was quizzed over his sexting scandal, a body language expert has revealed.
Speaking at a press conference in Saudi Arabia, the cleared F1 chief hit back at claims surrounding the saga – insisting it’s time to “draw a line under it”.
GettyChristian Horner became increasingly ‘impatient’ during a press conference in Saudi, according to a body language expert[/caption]
GettyHorner gave a ‘cold stare’ during the team principals’ press conference in Saudi[/caption]
GettyHorner (right), pictured with the other team principals, repeatedly tapped his left foot in the air[/caption]
RexThe Red Bull chief pictured on March 8 ahead of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix[/caption]
Horner, 50, faced intense questioning from the media just hours after it emerged his accuser had been suspended from Red Bull Racing HQ.
As he faced a barrage of questions about the scandal, he admitted it had been a “very trying period” – and said it was “time to move on”.
According to body language guru Judi James, the Red Bull boss appeared “impatient or irritated” during the grilling as he fielded 12 questions about the scandal.
Although he started the press conference with a “confident splay of bravado” and “an air of feigned nonchalance”, Judi claimed there was a “sense of exasperation” by the fifth question.
She told The Sun: “Right from the start we can see Horner’s emphatic ‘tell’. With his legs crossed, his left foot starts a small tapping in the air.
“This is a gesture that will usually suggest impatience or irritation.
“It is a gesture that we can see growing throughout the conference.”
As his turn for questions comes around, Judi notes “a hint of growing tension” his foot circles in the air and his blinking “appears staccato”.
“When the questions are invited from the press he places his hand to his nose, suggesting a small barrier ritual – as though he is bracing himself for the inevitable,” she said.
“There is a sense of exasperation by the fifth question as the foot raises then just flops.
“Asked about the grievance, his eye expression becomes more authoritative and his upper lip curls in a micro-sneer as he insists it’s ‘time to draw a line under it’.
“There is a micro-signal of inner anger as Horner speaks about ‘attention in the media’ through clenched-looking teeth.
“By now he ends his answer with a small tongue-poke which is usually a gesture of rejection or disgust.”
When quizzed about world champion Max Verstappen‘s dad and about his own reputation, Horner’s “eye expression” appears “colder”, Judi said.
“He ends with a cold stare and his brows are raised in an expression of authority as he tells the press it is now ‘enough’,” the body language expert added.
The grilling from the media in Saudi comes after the bombshell leak of hundreds of “sexually suggestive” messages by the 50-year-old team boss.
Allegations of inappropriate behaviour against Horner were dismissed by a barrister-led probe.
Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell, 51, has been left heartbroken by the scandal, which erupted when the raft of embarrassing messages were released online on the eve of the F1 season opener.
The pop icon put on a toe-curling show of unity at last week’s Bahrain Grand Prix in which Red Bull pulled off a perfect 1-2 triumph led by world champ Max Verstappen.
And she is now also expected to join Christian in Jeddah this weekend ahead of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix on Saturday.
Geri wanted her husband to cut all contact with his unidentified accuser – but he found it impossible to comply as they remained in regular contact at work.
It comes after the staffer, who is understood to have shown up for work at the team’s HQ in Milton Keynes, Bucks, was suspended on full pay.
The ongoing saga dogging Red Bull has been complicated by behind-the-scenes clashes between star driver Verstappen’s father Jos, 51, and Horner.
Insiders said Jos had become close to the woman – but he has strenuously denied being the text leaker while warning Horner’s team will “explode” if he is not ousted.
Red Bull Racing said “The company cannot comment on this internal matter.”
Horner, 50, was seen in the Saudi Arabia paddock today for practice ahead of the next race without Geri by his side.
Geri was mid-air on her way to Bahrain after her husband was cleared when the texts were published widely online via an anonymous email drop.
Halliwell and Horner have been married since 2015 and share a son.
F1 champion Max Verstappen with boss Horner after winning the season-opener race last weekend