Christian Horner has been photographed in Saudi Arabia ahead of the second Formula 1 Grand Prix of the season, as the controversial Red Bull team boss fights for his future.
Horner’s position dominated the opening weekend of the season in Bahrain, despite Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez delivering a one-two for Red Bull.
The Red Bull chief was cleared last Wednesday of allegations of “coercive behavior” against a female colleague following an internal investigation, after news of the allegations emerged on February 5.
Less than 24 hours later, however, an anonymous emailed leak of 79 documents showing Horner sending sexually suggestive messages to the female employee at the center of the investigation of the sport’s key figures circulated, further fueling the fire.
The 50-year-old and his Spice Girl wife Geri Halliwell put on a show of unity ahead of the first race of the season in Bahrain.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was spotted in Jeddah ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
The beleaguered Red Bull boss has been fighting for his job this month amid a texting scandal
In Jeddah, Horner will have to make do without Halliwell, who publicly expressed support for her husband last weekend.
Halliwell, 51, is said to have ‘read her husband the riot act’ before showing unity, with insiders saying the pop star wants the female employee in question ‘out of the picture’.
Before the race started, Horner had slipped out through a gate at the back of Red Bull’s hospitality suite to meet Halliwell as she arrived at the main entrance to the paddock.
They held hands as they walked through the paddock to Red Bull’s hospitality suite. During the short walk they were harassed by photographers and TV crews.
Horner – who earns £8million a year – is determined to remain in his position for the entire Formula 1 season.
‘“I’m not going to comment on any person’s motives for doing this,” he said last week.
‘Absolutely (I will be in Saudi Arabia next week and will remain in my role for the rest of the season). I have always had faith that I will be here.
‘It was not pleasant with the unwanted attention. My focus is very much on what is on the track.
Horner and Halliwell put on a show of unity in Bahrain last week during the opening race of the season
Horner – wife of former spice girl Geri Halliwell – found out last Wednesday afternoon that he had been acquitted and would keep his £8million-a-year job running Red Bull’s F1 team
Halliwell will not be in Saudi Arabia for the second Grand Prix of the season
“My focus is on this team, my family, my wife and racing. I have the support of an incredible family, an incredible wife and an incredible team.”
Further pressure was put on the Red Bull chief last week after he was embroiled in a furious mystery row with Verstappen’s father, Jos.
It came after Mail Sport exclusively reported that Verstappen Snr believes the champion constructor will ‘explode’ if Horner does not walk away from his role, while he also reportedly told friends that Verstappen Jnr could leave the team if Horner remains at Red Bull.
He told Mail Sport that the team would ‘explode’ if Horner did not quit and accused him of ‘playing the victim when he is the problem’.
Horner will also be boosted by Verstappen Snr’s absence as the Dutchman takes part in a rally in Belgium this weekend.
He will be boosted by the ‘peace talks’ he held in Dubai with Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen, which were expected to go smoothly, although neither Max nor Jos were present.
On Monday, new allegations were published in a 19-page investigation in BusinessF1 Magazine naming Horner’s accuser, although sources close to the Red Bull chief deny these claims and insist they are ‘full of inaccuracies’.
Horner got into an argument with Jos Verstappen, who called on the 50-year-old to resign
The men were seen in a heated argument on Friday after qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix
It was also revealed that Verstappen has an astonishing break clause in his contract, allowing him to leave Red Bull if his ally Dr. Helmut Marko leaves the team.
Marko, an 80-year-old Austrian, is the company’s motorsport advisor. Three-time world champion Verstappen was fighting for him last year when moves were made to shuffle him out the door – maneuvers for which Horner was held responsible. Clearly, there is still a wedge between the two sides dating back to this dispute.
Horner hopes to keep the focus on the track this weekend, with practice at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit starting today.
Qualifying is scheduled for Friday, with Red Bull looking for a third consecutive victory in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Saturday.