Geri Halliwell ‘read Christian the riot act’ behind the scenes at the Bahrain Grand Prix
GERI Halliwell shared an awkward hug and a fawning kiss with hubby Christian Horner amid the sexts leak – but there were ‘fireworks’ behind the scenes, sources said last night.
The Spice Girl, 51, presented a united front with the under-fire F1 Red Bull boss before and after yesterday’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
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She had landed in the Middle East on Thursday evening, when a flood of sexually suggestive WhatsApp messages and photos between 50-year-old Horner and a female employee began circulating worldwide.
Sources said enraged Geri “read him the riot act” but put on a brave face for the cameras – to her husband’s “relief”.
Ginger Spice – in high heels, a white designer dress and carrying a Hermes bag – walked hand in hand with her husband to a catering area before the race yesterday.
Horner then leaned forward and planted an awkward kiss on his wife’s cheek as he wrapped his arm around her back.
After Red Bull’s world champion Max Verstappen stormed to victory in yesterday’s season opener, Geri was hugged tightly by her husband as she flashed a forced smile for the cameras.
Horner said: “It has been the best possible start to the season, very clinical and well executed. The perfect start.”
The public displays of affection came as showbiz sources said Geri had been considering the future of her nine-year marriage to Horner, the father of her seven-year-old son.
Someone close to the singer said: “Many people who know her are surprised by this show of support. There is absolutely no doubt that she is furious and has read him the riot act about what happened.
“There are questions about her future with him and she has let him know in no uncertain terms. It’s uncertain whether their marriage will survive, but she gives it a good chance by showing him support, at least in public.
“But deep down she must be hurt, humiliated and very angry. However, this at least shows that she hasn’t gone nuclear and fled to the first expensive divorce lawyer she can find.”
The messages leaked after Horner was acquitted in a Red Bull investigation last week.
Some of them appeared to show him asking the woman for photos and in others he appeared to discuss a solo sex act in an airplane toilet.
The source continued: “The leak of the texts moved the goalposts – and Geri was furious about it.
“When Christian first told her about the situation, he said he had had an argument with a woman who wanted a promotion and more responsibility at Red Bull.
“So he sold it to Geri as a workplace dispute and she accepted. So Geri is now furious that there seems to be more to it.”
An F1 paddock source said: “Christian is relieved and excited by Geri’s show of support.
“He was very happy that she had flown and was with him.
“They had time to discuss everything and she must have accepted his explanation to some extent that she appeared to support him.”
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However, last night Jos Verstappen, 51, father of star Red Bull driver Max, told the Mail: “There is tension here as he stays in position.
“The team is in danger of being torn apart. It cannot continue as it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim while causing the problems.”
Verstappen Snr reportedly had a blazing row in Horner’s paddock office after the qualifying race on Friday evening.
He is said to have left the office before returning to shake hands with the Red Bull director.
Geri reportedly knew the employee at the center of the sexts storm, and sources said she had visited the couple’s home in London.
However, showbiz insiders say the Spice Girl’s spirituality and religious beliefs pushed her to forgive her husband.
Geri, who often wears a crucifix around her neck, converted to Christianity in 2001 when she took a ten-week Alpha course on the Bible.
She previously told The Sun that she became pregnant in her mid-40s after praying to God to conceive naturally.
Our source added: “Her Christianity helps Christian because – although angry – she believes in forgiveness and wants to keep her family together.”
Horner – cleared of ‘coercive conduct’ in a three-week investigation – has made no comment on the leaked messages.
On Thursday he said: “I will not comment on anonymous speculation but have always denied the allegations.”
BECKS’ SHOW IN THE SNOW
By Jane Atkinson
GERI Halliwell has followed in the footsteps of fellow Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, who famously staged a staged display of affection for husband David while their marriage was in trouble.
In 2004, the Beckhams went to the French Alps after he was accused of cheating on him with Rebecca Loos.
They hit the slopes, had a play fight and then David – like Christian Horner yesterday – kissed his wife.
In their Netflix documentary last year, Victoria said this was their “toughest time”, adding: “It felt like the world was against us. And the thing is, we were against each other.”
David added: “We had to fight for our family. And what we had was worth fighting for.”