Woman at center of Christian Horner ‘sex texts’ scandal appeals Red Bull investigation that cleared Geri Halliwell’s husband of ‘inappropriate conduct’ and led to her suspension for ‘dishonesty’
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 woman who accused Christian Horner of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ appeals the decision to acquit the Red Bull team boss
Horner (pictured with his partner Geri Halliwell) had been accused of ‘coercive behaviour’ towards a female employee but was subsequently cleared of wrongdoing
Horner is pictured speaking to Red Bull CEO Franz Watzlawick during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, after key stakeholders said the pit boss would not be sacked before the Australian GP
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.
Horner’s wife Halliwell continued to express support for the team boss
Reports also emerged that Helmut Marko (left) could be suspended after claims were made that he leaked information about the ongoing Horner situation, which he denied
“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.
Red Bull and Max Verstappen continue to dominate on the track, despite the team’s off-track dramas
“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.”