The women at the center of Red Bull’s text messaging scandal have today appealed the company’s findings, Mail Sport can reveal.

The unnamed employee initially accused team boss Christian Horner of ‘coercive behaviour’, but an internal investigation involving a QC cleared him of misconduct last month and he remained in charge of the first two races of the season.

On Saturday he will also be in post for a week for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. But he is being put under further pressure by news of the appeal, which has been lodged with parent company Red Bull GmbH in Salzburg, rather than the Milton Keynes-based racing team.

The woman, who has been suspended with pay, recently changed lawyers – a precursor to her latest legal action.

Messages suggesting her conversations with Horner, the 50-year-old husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, were leaked the day after the investigation cleared him.

The suggestive WhatsApp correspondence was sent from an anonymous email address to 149 figures in Formula 1.

It is believed the female employee insists she was not the source of the explosive evidence. And someone close to her says she feels ‘let down’ by Red Bull and that she ‘behaved correctly during the process’.

Jos Verstappen, father of world champion Max Verstappen, a well-known Horner critic, also denies leaking the information.

No timetable has yet been set for the appeal and a Red Bull Racing spokesperson said last night that they were not aware of the development, adding: ‘It is a matter for Red Bull GmbH.’

A friend of the woman had told MailOnline exclusively: ‘She is so disappointed with how it all went, especially as she did everything by the book.

‘She has raised her concerns privately and has done everything right, but she feels very let down by the company.

“They suspended her because she followed the proper procedure carefully and correctly.”

Earlier this week, Red Bull denied claims that Horner would be fired before the next Formula 1 Grand Prix in Australia on March 24.

According to reports, shareholders of the Milton Keynes-based racing team met in Dubai on Sunday after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which saw Max Verstappen cruise to victory in Jeddah, his second victory of the year. Meanwhile, stakeholders agreed that Horner should remain in his role.

“As Christian has said, he is grateful for the full support of shareholders and that remains so,” a Red Bull spokesperson said.

Three-time world champion Verstappen has now called for ‘peace’ at the racing team amid the ongoing situation.

It came after he threatened to walk away from Red Bull if adviser Helmut Marko was suspended following claims he had leaked information to the media.

Marko has since insisted he will remain at Red Bull, with the 80-year-old motorsport consultant holding talks about his future with Red Bull sporting head Oliver Mintzlaff in the Jeddah paddock.

“I have always said that the most important thing is that we work together as a team and that everyone keeps the peace,” said Verstappen.

‘And I think we all agree on that within the team. So hopefully that will be completely the case from now on.

‘Everyone is trying to focus in the same direction. And I think the positive of all this is that it didn’t hurt the performances. So it is a very strong team.

“I also think mentally, what you can see not only from the driver’s side, but also from the mechanics, the engineers: everyone is there to do their job.

“And I think everyone, even when things are going on or whatever, they’re just focused on their work as they should be.”

CHRISTIAN Horner’s accuser says she feels ‘let down’ by the Red Bull team after the F1 chief was cleared by an independent investigation.

The woman at the center of the sexting storm who was suspended by the Milton Keynes-based company last week is said to be disappointed with the way Red Bull has handled the scandal.

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The F1 chief was cleared of charges of controlling behavior, but the next day a dossier of text messages between Horner and the female staffer was leaked.

The woman was suspended from Red Bull Racing headquarters because her ‘honesty was questioned’.

A friend of the employee told me MailOnline: “She is so disappointed with how it all turned out, especially because she did everything by the book.

“She has raised her concerns privately and has done everything right, but she feels very let down by the company.

“They suspended her because she followed the proper procedure carefully and correctly.

But despite all that, she was suspended from the job she loves and from a sport in which she is highly regarded.

“The lack of support is noticed and she is so disappointed with the treatment by her employer.

‘Look what happened. She complained that there had been a supposedly transparent, independent investigation, Horner was acquitted and then she was suspended.”

The staffer’s friend continued by casting doubt on Red Bull’s investigation, adding: “Questions need to be asked about the Red Bull investigation, transparency would give confidence in what is happening to her.

“Who at Red Bull was charged with establishing the facts? Who at Red Bull had access to all the confidential material used?

“Who at Red Bull is making all these decisions and who at Red Bull is doing their best to determine the source of these leaks?

“She just can’t get over the fact that she filed a complaint and was suspended. All she wants is transparency in the process.”

They added that the staffer has had many supportive messages from friends and family and while she has been inundated with offers to share her side of the story, she has chosen to remain silent for the time being.

The comment comes amid claims that the employee is reportedly preparing to appeal.

An F1 source told the outlet that the way the sext storm has been handled “will discourage other women, who may have had similar issues in F1, from coming forward.”

They told the newspaper: “She asked for none of this and now she has been suspended and the message is very clear: it means women should stay quiet and not speak out or you will lose your job.”

It comes after former F1 driver Christijan Albers warned there is “a lot more to come” as he noted the Red Bull chief has a “frightening amount of power”.

In conversation with the Dutch outlet The Telegraph he said it was “terrifying”. Horner has so much power, despite the accusations against him.

He said: “Because the way it’s all picked up and just waved away, you’re making someone on the other side extra angry. I think there will be a lot more to come out.

“Back then [Horner has] This urge and envy to still be able to get that number one position and cut everyone’s heads off.”

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen’s father Jos has backed the woman and called for Horner to be dropped for £8million a year, accusing him of tearing the team apart.

Horner and his wife Geri put on a united front this weekend in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as they watched Max Verstappen claim another victory.

Speaking at the press conference, the F1 chief said he was keen to ‘draw a line’ under the scandal and that it was time to ‘focus on what’s happening on track’.

Despite seemingly standing by her husband throughout the drama, Geri is said to be “in turmoil” over the sexting storm.

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The woman who received sex texts from Red Bull team boss Christian Horner accusing him of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ says she feels ‘let down’ by the F1 team’s decision to acquit him.

Red Bull announced last month that it is investigating 50-year-old Horner through an independent lawyer into claims of misconduct by his personal assistant.

But her complaint was rejected and just hours later, embarrassing text messages of a sexual nature involving the pair were leaked, leading to her suspension for what Red Bull said was ‘dishonesty’.

A friend of the university graduate at the center of the affair told MailOnline: ‘She is so disappointed with how it all went down, especially as she did everything by the book.

‘She has raised her concerns privately and has done everything right, but she feels very let down by the company.

“They suspended her because she followed the proper procedure carefully and correctly.

‘But despite everything, she was suspended from the job she loves and from a sport in which she is highly regarded.

‘The lack of support is noticed and she is so disappointed with the treatment by her employer.

‘Look what happened. She complained that a supposedly transparent, independent investigation had taken place, Horner was acquitted and subsequently suspended.’

The friend added: ‘Questions need to be asked about the Red Bull investigation, transparency would give confidence in what is happening to her.

‘Who at Red Bull was charged with establishing the facts? Who at Red Bull had access to all the confidential material used?

‘Who at Red Bull makes all these decisions and who at Red Bull does their best to determine the source of these leaks?

‘She just can’t get over the fact that she filed a complaint and was suspended. All she wants is transparency in the process.”

The friend revealed that the woman has been ‘inundated’ with offers to tell her story, but has decided to remain tight-lipped for the time being.

Last week, MailOnline revealed that Jos Verstappen, father of Red Bull’s lead driver Max, also backed her and said he ‘sympathised’ with the woman.

The friend added: ‘She has had many messages of support from friends, family and people in F1 and she remains stoic and respectful of the process.

‘Even though there are questions that need to be asked of Red Bull.’

An F1 source who knows the woman told MailOnline: ‘Look, everyone knows motor racing is a male-dominated sport.

‘I think fans will wonder what went wrong at Red Bull if a woman with concerns is suspended because raising concerns is simply not an option.

“All it will do is discourage other women who may have had similar problems in F1 from coming forward.”

The woman is appealing Red Bull’s decision and has appointed lawyers to fight her, but no timetable has been given for the trial.”

The woman had bravely held on to her job at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes headquarters for several weeks before being suspended.

The F1 source said: ‘She didn’t ask for this and now she has been suspended and the message is very clear: it means women should stay quiet and not speak out or you will lose your job.’

The woman’s plea for transparency echoes that of Red Bull Racing’s current engine partner Honda, which has called for clarity on the investigation that ultimately cleared Horner.

In a statement ahead of last week’s Saudi Arabian GP, ​​Honda said: ‘We do not have full details on the matter at this time, therefore Honda is not in a position to comment in detail.

‘We look forward to complete clarity as soon as possible.’

Honda is not the only team partner to have shared a public statement about the Horner investigation and its aftermath. Future engine supplier Ford said in February – while the investigation was still ongoing – that it expects ‘high standards of conduct’.

Mark Rushbrook, global head of Ford Performance Motorsport, said: “As a family-owned business and a company that adheres to very high standards of conduct and integrity, we expect the same from our partners.

‘It seems to us, and what we were told, was that Red Bull is taking the situation very seriously. And of course they are also concerned about their brand.

“And that’s why they have an independent investigation and until we see what truth comes out of that, it’s too early for us to comment on that.”

Horner – married to former Spice Girl Geri – has called for a line to be drawn under the controversy and for the focus to be on the team.

In the first two races of the season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Geri made a determined effort to show that she was behind Horner.

Red Bull remained tight-lipped about the woman’s suspension, saying simply: “The company cannot comment on this internal matter.”

They said they dismissed her complaint after an independent QC – who was not named – prepared a report into the allegations over several weeks.

Christian Horner received hundreds of comments from baffled fans after he posted a Mother’s Day message to wife Geri Halliwell on Sunday.

Fans claimed the timing of his message was ‘strategic’ amid his ‘sex texts’ scandal and branded him ‘stupid’ for not disabling comments on his Instagram.

The Red Bull team principal, 50, shared photos of Geri, 51, to mark Mother’s Day, along with a heartfelt tribute to her in the caption.

Christian had been cleared of allegations of ‘coercive behaviour’, but has been fighting for his future after flirtatious text messages apparently exchanged between him and the female complainant were divulged to 149 F1 figures.

The former Spice Girl has been in attendance at both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prixs to show her support to her husband amid the controversy.

Christian shared two photos of Geri featuring the couple’s seven-year-old son Monty, as well as another snap with his own mother Sara.

He wrote: ‘Happy Mother’s Day – So appreciative of the mums in our family for everything they do. We’re always grateful, today and every day.’

But fans were left pondering over his integrity amid his sweet post, with one claiming that he ‘wasn’t fooling anyone’.

Other comments read: ‘My brother, you are digging yourself a deeper hole.’

‘What a joke….’, while another read: ‘Why would he leave the comments on [laughing emoji]’. 

‘The audacity’, another penned: ‘Read the room…..’ 

Christian, who has won 13 world championships since heading the team as a 31-year-old in 2005, had previously thanked his ‘very supportive wife’ for her backing during the accusations.

The couple mixed in social circles before they struck up a romance, having first met each other at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2009.

‘[Geri] was a guest of [former CEO of the Formula One Group] Bernie Ecclestone’s in Monaco one year and came down the pit lane,’ Horner previously told The Telegraph. ‘I remember [McLaren boss] Ron Dennis was standing next to me and Eddie Jordan was there as well.

‘She gave Ron a kiss on the cheek, and she gave Eddie a kiss on the cheek. So I thought, ‘OK, I’m on for a kiss on the cheek here!’ And I went to give her one and she shoved her hand out at me.’

Their relationship, however, got off to a rocky start, coming under fire after the Red Bull chief left his long-term partner Beverley Allen six months after she gave birth to their daughter Olivia.

While the couple took a short break to see if Christian could rescue his relationship with the mother of his child, just nine months later he announced his engagement to Ginger Spice in an advertisement in the The Times in 2014.

It said: ‘The engagement is announced between Christian, son of Mr and Mrs G.M. Horner and Geraldine, daughter of the late Mr L.F. Halliwell and Mrs A Parkinson.’

The former Spice Girl and Red Bull boss tied the knot at St Mary’s Church in Woburn, Bedfordshire, in 2015.

The singer, shares Bluebell 17, with her screenwriter ex Sacha Gervasi. They split prior to her birth.

Geri staged another public show of unity with Christian as she watched his team charge to victory with another one-two finish in Jeddah earlier this week.

Although the pair were seen cosying up again in front of the cameras, insiders claim that the leaked texts scandal ‘has been tough on her’.

Earlier this week, Christian’s accuser was suspended on full pay as a direct result of Red Bull’s inquiry because she was reportedly ‘dishonest’ when giving evidence.

As the spotlight continues to glare on the couple, a source close to the couple told The Sun: ‘It’s been tough but Geri has been a rock for Christian through all this and he has spoken out about how much that means to him.

‘There was no question of her staying away from Saudi – that would have sent entirely the wrong message.’

Christian also faced reporters in a press conference on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s race and admitted that the scandal had taken its toll on his family, while fending off questions on the woman at the centre of it.

He also said his wife had been ‘hugely supportive’ but admitted the scandal had been ‘very trying’ on his family.

‘It’s obviously been a very trying period,’ he said. ‘I’m married and have three children. And when that intrusion includes your children and the scrutiny that is placed upon your marriage.

‘I’m very fortunate that I have a beautiful family and very supportive wife. Of course, It’s very trying, it’s very challenging. When there’s children involved, parents, families, it’s not pretty.’

He added that the grievance had been ‘dealt with in the most professional manner’ by Red Bull’s parent company GmbH, which had appointed one of the top ‘KCs in the land’.

After fielding a barrage of questions of the topic, he called for the invasion into his private life to cease and attention turned towards racing.

‘The intrusion on my family is now enough,’ he said. ‘We need to move forward. It’s time now to focus on why we’re here, which is to go Formula One racing.’

Friends of the star claimed last week that it it would ‘break her heart’ to end her marriage to Christian — the man she sees as the ‘Prince Charming’ she has longed for since she was a little girl.

It’s believed that the scandal put the couple’s marriage ‘in question for the first time’.

Friends close to Geri, who stood by her husband of nine years resolutely throughout the internal probe, revealed she had ‘the meltdown to end all meltdowns over the leaks’.

The mother-of-two has been left ‘feeling humiliated’ after the messages were spread ‘so widely out there’, a friend added.

Hundreds of intimate WhatsApp exchanges purportedly between Horner and the colleague were released via an anonymous email account.

Geri had told friends that she was ‘relieved and elated’ that the claims against her partner ‘had finally been cleared’.

Friends of the Spice Girl told the Mail she thought the scandal had ‘finally gone away’ but have warned the appearance of the intimate messages – to which there are 79 screenshots – could ‘destroy’ her.

One said: ‘All along Christian promised there was nothing in it.’

Another said he now fears for how the star, who has been left mortified at the embarrassing fall out, will be able to comprehend such a public humiliation.

He said: ‘Geri has been living in this happy, happy bubble for so many years now, she thought she had her prince and her knight in shining armour but now this.

‘She thought that it had all gone away, she was delighted and over the moon when she learned Christian had been cleared.

‘Geri was pilloried when she got together with Christian because he had just had another baby with another woman but she has worked hard to rid that image of herself and Christian, and in particular that she is a homewrecker.

‘Now it has all come crashing down. The tears stopped when the judgment came in on Wednesday, now they absolutely will have started again.

‘This will destroy her. All along Christian promised there was nothing in it.’

Embattled Red Bull team principal Christian Horner shared photos of his wife Geri Halliwell to mark Mother’s Day, despite the furore around his sex texts scandal.

The Red Bull boss, 50, had been cleared of allegations of ‘coercive behaviour’, but has been fighting for his future after flirtatious text messages apparently exchanged between him and the female complainant were divulged to 149 F1 figures.

Halliwell, the former Spice Girl, has been in attendance at both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prixs to show her support to her husband amid the controversy.

Horner shared two photos of Geri featuring the couple’s seven-year-old son Monty, as well as another snap with his own mother Sara.

‘Happy Mother’s Day – So appreciative of the mums in our family for everything they do,’ Horner wrote. ‘We’re always grateful, today and every day.’

Horner, who has won 13 world championships since heading the team as a 31-year-old in 2005, had previously thanked his ‘very supportive wife’ for her backing during the accusations.

Halliwell and Horner mixed in social circles before they struck up a romance, having first met each other at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2009.

‘[Geri] was a guest of [former CEO of the Formula One Group] Bernie Ecclestone’s in Monaco one year and came down the pit lane,’ Horner previously told The Telegraph. ‘I remember [McLaren boss] Ron Dennis was standing next to me and Eddie Jordan was there as well.

‘She gave Ron a kiss on the cheek, and she gave Eddie a kiss on the cheek. So I thought, ‘OK, I’m on for a kiss on the cheek here!’ And I went to give her one and she shoved her hand out at me.’

Their relationship, however, got off to a rocky start, coming under fire after the Red Bull chief left his long-term partner Beverley Allen six months after she gave birth to their daughter Olivia.

While the couple took a short break to see if Horner could rescue his relationship with the mother of his child, just nine months later he announced his engagement to Ginger Spice in an advertisement in the The Times in 2014.

It said: ‘The engagement is announced between Christian, son of Mr and Mrs G.M. Horner and Geraldine, daughter of the late Mr L.F. Halliwell and Mrs A Parkinson.’

The former Spice Girl and Red Bull boss tied the knot at St Mary’s Church in Woburn, Bedfordshire, in 2015.

Halliwell’s A-line lace bridal gown was designed by British designer Phillipa Lepley.

Bluebell, whom she had with screenwriter Sacha Gervasi in 2005, also attended the wedding.

Guests included Geri’s former Spice Girls co-star Emma Bunton, radio presenter and singer Myleene Klass, and TV presenter Amanda Holden.

Christian’s parents were reportedly left devastated when the sporting professional left Ms Allen to be with the chart-topping star and therefore chose not to see the duo tie the knot.

A source close to the couple previously said: ‘Geri and Christian are disappointed that his parents aren’t coming.’

Halliwell had last year recalled the lonely experience of being a single mum to her daughter Bluebell, comparing it to raising her son Monty with Horner.

The singer, shares Bluebell 17, with her screenwriter ex Gervasi. They split prior to her birth.

Halliwell said she needed ‘broad shoulders’ to raise Bluebell as a single parent and later struggled when ‘learning how to be a team.’

Geri told Giovanna: ‘I’ve experienced both and I can tell you that, yeah I had my mom to help me with Blue. So I’m very grateful. And her granddad is gorgeous so it was a fantastic role model for her.

‘He takes her to football, which is amazing and I think you know, they both have their blessings and challenges.

‘Being a single parent, mother you don’t have to answer to anyone, but it’s all on you. And that can be quite stressful and you have to be responsible. All the responsibilities are on you in every way.

‘Broad shoulders are needed and sometimes it’s lonely. So I’ve experienced that. And then, you know, having the blessing of having a lovely husband or partner, which I’ve experienced. That’s amazing.

‘So it’s not all on you, but then you’ve got to compromise, we might have, you know, we’re all different in the way we think things should be done. So learning to be a team, which has been a challenge for me.’

Halliwell staged another public show of unity with Horner as she watched his team charge to victory with another one-two finish in Jeddah yesterday.

Although Horner and Halliwell were seen cosying up again in front of the cameras, insiders claim that the leaked texts scandal ‘has been tough on her’.

Earlier this week, Horner’s accuser was suspended on full pay as a direct result of Red Bull’s inquiry because she was reportedly ‘dishonest’ when giving evidence.

As the spotlight continues to glare on Horner and Halliwell, a source close to the couple told The Sun: ‘It’s been tough but Geri has been a rock for Christian through all this and he has spoken out about how much that means to him.

‘There was no question of her staying away from Saudi – that would have sent entirely the wrong message.’

Horner also faced reporters in a press conference on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s race and admitted that the scandal had taken its toll on his family, while fending off questions on the woman at the centre of it.

He also said his wife had been ‘hugely supportive’ but admitted the scandal had been ‘very trying’ on his family.

‘It’s obviously been a very trying period,’ he said. ‘I’m married and have three children. And when that intrusion includes your children and the scrutiny that is placed upon your marriage.

‘I’m very fortunate that I have a beautiful family and very supportive wife. Of course, It’s very trying, it’s very challenging. When there’s children involved, parents, families, it’s not pretty.’

He added that the grievance had been ‘dealt with in the most professional manner’ by Red Bull’s parent company GmbH, which had appointed one of the top ‘KCs in the land’.

After fielding a barrage of questions of the topic, he called for the invasion into his private life to cease and attention turned towards racing.

‘The intrusion on my family is now enough,’ he said. ‘We need to move forward. It’s time now to focus on why we’re here, which is to go Formula One racing.’

Friends of the star claimed last week that it it would ‘break her heart’ to end her marriage to Christian — the man she sees as the ‘Prince Charming’ she has longed for since she was a little girl.

It’s believed that the scandal put the couple’s marriage ‘in question for the first time’.

Friends close to Halliwell, who stood by her husband of nine years resolutely throughout the internal probe, revealed she had ‘the meltdown to end all meltdowns over the leaks’.

The mother-of-two has been left ‘feeling humiliated’ after the messages were spread ‘so widely out there’, a friend added.

Hundreds of intimate WhatsApp exchanges purportedly between Horner and the colleague were released via an anonymous email account.

Halliwell had told friends that she was ‘relieved and elated’ that the claims against her partner had finally been dropped.

Friends of the Spice Girl told the Mail she thought the scandal had ‘finally gone away’ but have warned the appearance of the intimate messages – to which there are 79 screenshots – could ‘destroy’ her.

One said: ‘All along Christian promised there was nothing in it.’

Another said he now fears for how the star, who has been left mortified at the embarrassing fall out, will be able to comprehend such a public humiliation.

He said: ‘Geri has been living in this happy, happy bubble for so many years now, she thought she had her prince and her knight in shining armour but now this.

‘She thought that it had all gone away, she was delighted and over the moon when she learned Christian had been cleared.

‘Geri was pilloried when she got together with Christian because he had just had another baby with another woman but she has worked hard to rid that image of herself and Christian, and in particular that she is a homewrecker.

‘Now it has all come crashing down. The tears stopped when the judgment came in on Wednesday, now they absolutely will have started again.

‘This will destroy her. All along Christian promised there was nothing in it.’

CHRISTIAN Horner breathed a huge sigh of relief after receiving more support from Red Bull bosses.

Horner hugged and shared a joke with Red Bull CEO Franz Watzlawick on the grid before the race, as both sides tried to draw a line under their recent feud.

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Even Helmut Marko, the outspoken Austrian who works as Red Bull’s motorsport adviser and who had clearly aligned himself with Horner’s rival Jos Verstappen, called for calm – just 24 hours after hinting he could be banned.

It was a good day for Horner as Max Verstappen, who was again miles ahead of his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.

It was Verstappen’s 56th win and his 100th podium in yet another crushing display that will now surely concern F1 chiefs.

The Dutchman’s success goes against the model of American sport and the audience that the American Liberty Media has tried to win over.

Verstappen, who started from pole, said: “All in all a fantastic weekend for the whole team and myself.

“I felt very good with the car and that was also the case during the race. The last stint took a little longer than we would have liked, but with the Safety Car you had to go for it.

“So the last few laps with cold tires and rear markers it was a bit slippery, but we had good pace everywhere and were able to handle it, so overall very happy.”

British racer Oliver Bearman impressed on his debut for Ferrari when he came on for Carlos Sainz, who suffered appendicitis the day before and underwent surgery.

The Spanish star, who was here at the circuit to assist Bearman’s first race in F1, where the 18-year-old was voted Driver of the Day after finishing seventh ahead of Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.

It was a great ride from the Essex-born racer, who had just one practice session to get up to speed before qualifying yesterday.

Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri finished fourth for McLaren behind Charles Leclerc, who took the final spot on the podium.

The result and the call for mussels ensured Horner had a relatively normal day after a whirlwind month following allegations of inappropriate behavior from a female colleague.

The consequences were spectacular and although Marko has now promised to hold the line, Verstappen’s future within the team remains very much in doubt.

What started as Horner’s personal controversy has turned into a power struggle within Red Bull involving Horner, Red Bull’s head of corporate projects and investment department Oliver Mintzlaff and Red Bull majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidyah.

Horner will receive the support of Yoovidyah while Mintzlaff, who was in Saudi Arabia but not at Watzlawick as expected, was on the grid with Horner.

Yoovidyah and Mintzlaff are expected to meet in Dubai on Sunday to try to bridge the remaining gap between Red Bull’s Austrian and Thai factions.

The news comes after Horner told Max Verstappen he could leave the team if he wanted.

It follows a whirlwind ten days in which Horner was acquitted of inappropriate conduct towards a female colleague.

Verstappen threatened to leave Red Bull if team advisor Helmut Marko (80) is forced to leave because the consequences of the Horner investigation continue.

Marko will meet Red Bull chief Oliver Mintzlaff at the Saudi Arabia GP after being questioned about rumors he could be banned and miss the next race in Australia.

Horner and his wife, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, showed another show of unity during the race following the sexting allegations.

But her second public show of support in a week was dented by another joke from Red Bull world champion Max Verstappen’s father Jos, who repeated calls for Horner’s head.

And he twisted the knife by revealing he supports the unidentified team employee who has been suspended after accusing her boss and sending hundreds of “sexually suggestive” texts.

On Thursday, Horner greeted his “phenomenally supportive” wife but insisted it was time to “draw a line” under the scandal.

But his accuser has won the support of Caroline Nokes, head of the British parliament, who encouraged her to take her case to an employment tribunal.

The Sun revealed on Thursday that Horner’s accuser had been suspended, with insiders claiming it was down to “inconsistencies” in her evidence to a lawyer-led investigation.

Pals said Horner found it impossible to avoid his workplace accuser, one of 1,600 employees at the team’s headquarters in Milton Keynes, Bucks.

HR bosses intervened and suspended her with full pay on Monday. She is currently considering whether to appeal the dismissal of her complaint.

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JOS Verstappen says it is “too late” for F1 boss Christian Horner to “draw the line” under the sexting scandal that has engulfed him.

The former racing driver also gave his support to the female Red Bull employee who was suspended after the row reached breaking point.

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Geri Halliwell, 51, is expected to join her sext-probe husband at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix today.

The pop icon stayed in Dubai while Horner, 50, battled a female assistant’s discredited claims that he bombarded her with ‘sexually suggestive’ messages.

Former Grand Prix ace Jos, 52, the father of current world champion and Red Bull’s main driver Max Verstappen, spoke for the first time since the unidentified staffer was suspended.

He told MailOnline: “I sympathize with the woman, with everything she has been through, but we will see what happens.”

Asked whether it is time to “draw a line” on the situation, as Horner urged people to do this week, Jos said: “I think it’s a bit too late for that now.

“If that’s what he wants, fine, but I don’t think it will be possible.”

Jos denied there was any truth to the speculation that he and the woman were involved in any way and said Red Bull seemed to know what they were doing regarding her situation.

He added that his biggest concern was his son Max: his happiness and the way the scandal affected him.

According to Jos, the press conference in Saudi Arabia where Horner said it was time to “focus on what’s happening on the track” was all about him when it should have been about Max, his performance and the car.

Allegations of inappropriate behavior against Horner were dismissed by a lawyer-led investigation.

Ginger Spice Geri has been left heartbroken by the scandal, which broke out when a series of embarrassing messages were posted online on the eve of the F1 season opener.

The pop icon showed a show of unity at the Bahrain Grand Prix last week, in which Red Bull achieved a perfect 1-2 victory led by world champion Max Verstappen.

And she is now also expected to join Christian in Jeddah this weekend, ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Saturday.

Geri wanted her husband to cut off all contact with his unknown accuser, but he found it impossible to comply as they remained in regular contact at work.

It comes after the employee, who is believed to have turned up for work at the team’s headquarters in Milton Keynes, Bucks, was suspended on full pay.

The ongoing saga haunting Red Bull has been complicated by behind-the-scenes clashes between star driver Verstappen’s father, Jos, and Horner.

Insiders said Jos had become close to the woman, but he has strongly denied being the text leaker, while warning that Horner’s team would “explode” if he is not ousted.

Red Bull Racing said: “The company cannot comment on this internal matter.”

Horner was seen in the Saudi Arabia paddock today for training ahead of the next one race without Geri by his side.

Geri was in the air en route to Bahrain after her husband was acquitted when the lyrics were widely published online through a anonymously drop email.

Halliwell and Horner have been married since 2015 and share a son.

HE is the Formula 1 magnate who could single-handedly save Christian Horner’s career.

Red Bull owner Chalerm Yoovidhya has the largest stake in the company and is said to be the main supporter of the controversial team boss.

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F1 boss Horner, who is married to ex Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was rocked last week after bombshell ‘sext’ messages involving an alleged female colleague were leaked online.

Just 24 hours earlier, an internal investigation had cleared him of wrongdoing against the woman – accusations he had always denied.

Now an astonishing civil war has broken out at Red Bull after Jos Verstappen – the father of superstar driver Max – warned the team would ‘explode’ if the 50-year-old stays.

Although some prominent figures within the company have reportedly turned against Horner, Chalerm – who is worth £26 billion – remains his most important public ally.

At the Bahrain Grand Prix last weekend, the two were photographed with their wives Geri and Daranee as they celebrated three-time world champion Max winning the first race of the new season.

Thai billionaire Chalerm is the eldest son of Chaleo Yoovidhya, who co-created the energy drink brand with Dietrich Mateschitz.

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Austrian businessman Dietrich led the development of Red Bull’s sports division, hand-picking Horner to launch their F1 team and proving to be its greatest champion until his death in 2022.

Since then, Horner has maintained close ties with Chalerm, while Dietrich’s own heir, Mark, has reportedly grown colder towards the scandal-hit team leader. Email online.

Off the circuit, the Yoovidhya empire spreads across multi-million pound properties, vineyards and businesses from London to Bangkok.

But the playboy lifestyle of one of Chalerm’s eleven children has brought the family into a scandal of its own – and one far darker than Horner’s.

Horror smash

In 2012, Charlem’s son Vorayuth was allegedly involved in an accident in Bangkok in which a police officer was killed.

Since then he has been effectively on the run, while the time for prosecution continues to grow.

Vorayuth – known as ‘Boss’ – has been pictured traveling the world in private jets, enjoying lavish holidays in Japan, Monaco, Venice and Laos in Asia and celebrating a birthday at Gordon Ramsay’s London restaurant.

He is believed to own a house in London where he has a black Porsche Carrera with the personal license plate BO55 RBR – short for ‘Boss Red Bull Racing’.

Last month it was revealed that a former top police officer in Bangkok is accused of helping Vorayuth escape justice, along with other senior figures.

The saga began twelve years ago when 42-year-old police officer Wichean Glanprasert was hit with his Ferrari on a main road in Bangkok. The officer’s mutilated body was dragged through the block along with his tangled bicycle.

Police followed a trail of brake fluid to the Yoovidhya family’s nearby gated property, where they found Vorayuth’s car with its bumper cut off.

A driver was initially blamed for the accident, but Vorayuth, who attended the exclusive private school Bradfield College in Berkshire, later turned himself in and admitted he was behind the wheel.

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His lawyer claimed that the alcohol found in his system was drunk to calm his nerves after the crash.

The family paid £12,000 for bail and he went home the same day, where he quickly resumed his jet-setting lifestyle. Three months later, he was spotted at the Red Bull Singha Race of Champions in Bangkok, surrounded by friends and cousins.

It took Thai police another five years to issue a formal arrest warrant in 2017 when Vorayuth fled Thailand and had his passport revoked.

Interpol has issued a ‘red notice’ to arrest him pending extradition, but it appears that this notice is no longer posted on its website.

He has not appeared in court since, with lawyers claiming he was too busy to appear or had important appointments, including one in London.

Chalerm sees Horner as a kind of foster son

Ex F1 driver Ralf Schumacher

Thailand’s statute of limitations – the time during which someone can be prosecuted – began to expire on possible charges of speeding, hit-and-run and causing death by reckless driving.

Then suddenly in 2020, police announced they had dropped all charges.

The move sparked anger and a boycott of Red Bull products in Thailand, where activists complain of a two-tiered legal system: one for the poor and one for the elites.

It emerged that at the time of the accident, the brother of the deceased police officer signed a contract with the Yoovidhyas to receive approximately £75,000 in damages if the family agreed not to pursue criminal or civil proceedings.

However, the deal did not protect them from a case brought by Thai prosecutors and following the outrage following Vorayuth’s acquittal, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered a new investigation.

He said the original investigation was “compromised” and new charges were filed against Vorayuth in 2020 for drug use and causing death by reckless driving.

Since then, police have run out of time to prosecute the drug charge and the driving offense will end in 2027.

Last month, several government officials and police officers were accused of plotting to help Vorayuth flee the country.

Police chief Somyot Poompanmoung and other suspects are accused of abuse of power to help someone avoid prosecution.

Somyot was accused last year by the National Anti-Corruption Commission of tampering with evidence by altering the speedometer of Vorayuth’s Ferrari.

Humble beginnings

The scandal is a far cry from the humble beginnings of Vorayuth’s grandfather, who was once a farmer on his family’s duck farm.

Born to poor Chinese immigrant parents who traded fruit in a city north of Bangkok, Chaleo Yoovidhya got a job as an antibiotic salesman before quitting to set up his own pharmaceutical company in the early 1960s.

He said “divine inspiration” helped him create an energy-boosting drink, which he called Krating Daeng.

Austrian salesman Dietrich discovered that the drink cured his jet lag and in 1984 partnered with Chaleo and launched Red Bull.

While the drink became a ‘go to’ for partygoers, Chaleo was very private and had not given an interview in 30 years when he died in March 2012 at the age of 88.

As the eldest of two sons, Chalerm took over the business empire and in 2005 Red Bull Racing was born.

The family are said to own five multi-million pound properties in London, as well as a luxurious gated home in Bangkok.

Chalerm has 11 children with wife Daranee and one owns a £5.9million mansion in Chicago.

Since 2001, the F1 businessman has also run a winery in Dallas, Texas, called Siam.

Relationship with ‘foster son’

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With Chalerm owning 51 percent of Red Bull – while Austrian Mark Mateschitz retains 49 percent – ​​he could be the deciding factor on whether Horner remains team boss.

While Geri Halliwell stood by her husband this weekend as she packed on the PDA at the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Red Bull owner also showed a show of support.

He and his wife Daranee were pictured laughing and joking with the Horners on the terrace, in the clearest sign yet that Christian has the ear of the big boss.

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher previously described Horner as a “kind of foster son” for Chalerm.

Before being approved by Red Bull, Horner said: “He is behind him unconditionally.”

Horner has said he is “absolutely confident” he will weather the biggest storm of his life.

Only time will tell if he is right.

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By Jason Chester for MailOnline and Katie Hind Consultant Editor Showbusiness

Published: 07:27 EST, March 5, 2024 | Updated: 07:38 EST, March 5, 2024

RED Bull chief Christian Horner met with Max Verstappen’s representative on Monday in a bid to calm rising tensions in his F1 team.

The crisis talks in Dubai came just 48 hours after the Dutch driver’s father, Jos, said Red Bull would “explode” if Horner stayed on his track.

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Max’s manager Raymond Vermeulen is said to have acted on behalf of the Verstappens, who were not present.

A source said the summit – reportedly attended by senior Red Bull figures – “went well”.

Horner has faced intense criticism in recent weeks following allegations of ‘sex’ and harassment against him by a female colleague.

An internal investigation by Red Bull cleared the 50-year-old, who has always denied the claims.

After his son won the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend, Verstappen senior hinted that “victim” Horner should resign.

He told the Daily Mail: “There is tension here as he (Horner) remains in position.

“The team is in danger of being torn apart. It cannot continue as it is. It will explode.

“He plays the victim, while he is the one causing the problems.”

The comments came as a video emerged of Jos having a “heated” conversation with Horner before the start of Sunday’s race.

After the race, Horner said he was “absolutely confident” he would remain Red Bull boss for the rest of the season, after overseeing Verstappen leading a one-two from teammate Sergio Perez.

In response to Jos Verstappen’s comments, a Red Bull Racing spokesperson said: “There are no problems here. The team is united and we are focused on racing.”

The next Grand Prix will take place in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.