SPICE Girl Geri Halliwell is facing an awkward reunion with Christian Horner after a series of texts and photos he sent to a female colleague were leaked.
The private messages were leaked just hours after Geri was reportedly set to fly to Bahrain and join her husband for the F1 season opener.
The pop star is said to be ‘relieved and delighted’ when her husband was cleared of any wrongdoing following a three-week internal investigation into inappropriate behaviour.
But in a dramatic twist, a series of WhatsApp messages, also naming Horner’s wife Geri, were leaked to journalists from a anonymously e-mail.
The messages contain private conversations between the Red Bull chief and an employee who appears to be a woman.
Although there appear to be no explicit images in the messages, some of the texts are sexually suggestive in nature.
Commenting on the leak, Horner said: “I won’t comment on it anonymously speculation, but I repeat: I have always denied the allegations, I have respected the integrity of the independent investigation and cooperated fully every step of the way.
“It was a thorough and fair investigation, carried out by an independent specialist lawyer, and it led to the dismissal of the complaint submitted. I remain fully focused on the start of the season.”
Geri, 51, has been staunchly supportive of her husband throughout the three-week investigation.
A source close to Geri said she had been a “rock” for Christian but that the past few weeks had been “hell” for the family.
“These have been weeks of hell for Christian and his family. As he has said all along, these claims are ‘crazy,'” they said.
“An extensive investigation has been conducted and the allegations have been found to be nonsense.
“Geri stands firmly behind Christian – and his entire family is relieved and elated that it is over.
“Those feelings are there, but no one close to Christian feels like celebrating much after what he has been through.
“For the time being, his focus is again entirely on winning races.”
Horner was acquitted after the three-week internal investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior was completed.
Red Bull Racing’s Austrian parent company confirmed yesterday that the woman’s claims had been rejected.
A statement said: “Red Bull can confirm that the complaint has been rejected. Red Bull is confident that the investigation was fair, rigorous and impartial.
“The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who participated in the investigation. Out of respect for all involved, we will therefore make no further comment.
“Red Bull will continue to strive to meet the highest standards in the workplace.”
The team’s parent company confirmed that the complainant, who is believed to still work at the team’s headquarters in Milton Keynes, “has the right to appeal”.
Horner, who receives £8 million a year, vehemently denied all claims during the investigation.
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 underway at the Bahrain International Circuit and hugged star Max Verstappen as they greeted each other.
He told the press that he was “pleased” that the investigation had been completed.
He told Sky Sports: “I’m just happy the process is over, I can’t comment on it.
“The focus now is very much on the Grand Prix and the coming season and trying to defend both our titles.
“I am happy to be here in Bahrain and with the team, focused on the coming season.
“The team has never been stronger.”
A look at the life and career of Christian Horner
CHRISTIAN Horner is one of the best-known names in Formula 1 and has 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 kart racing
1993-1997 – Has competed in a variety of competitions including British Formula Three, British Formula Two and Formula 3000
1997 – Founder and development of the F3000 team Arden
1999 – Retired from driving and continued developing the Arden team
2005 – Appointed head of the Red Bull team, becoming the youngest team boss ever at the time
2009 – Wins his first races as team boss with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber
2010 – Wins the Constructors’ Championship and the 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 – Married Halliwell in Woburn, Bedfordshire
2017 – Horner and Halliwell welcome their son
2021 – Wins another drivers’ championship with Max Verstappen and beats Lewis Hamilton in the last round of the season
2022-23 – Red Bull wins the Drivers’ Championship and the Constructors’ Championship two years in a row