Geri Halliwell’s relationship with Christian Horner has been rocked in recent days by claims of his inappropriate behavior towards a junior female employee, but it appears the beginning of their relationship was just as dramatic.
While all eyes are usually on the track during Formula 1 races, it was in the paddock where all the action between Geri and Christian took place – and it’s there where all eyes will remain on this week as we hope to see the duo together in public appear. for the first time since the scandal unfolded.
Earlier today, the former Spice Girl, 51, landed in Bahrain on a private jet to meet her husband who was brought in for crisis talks with F1 bosses after texts claiming to show the exchanges were leaked.
Horner, 50, bon Wednesday he was cleared to continue as Red Bull team boss after an internal investigation into ‘inappropriate behaviour’ – which he has always denied.
But just 24 hours later, the WhatsApp messages apparently exchanged between Horner and the complainant were sent from an anonymous email to 149 journalists and leading figures in F1, leading friends to warn that his marriage to Geri ‘for first came into question’.
Geri Halliwell’s relationship with Christian Horner has been rocked in recent days by claims of his inappropriate behavior towards a junior female employee.
The Red Bull boss – seen today – finds himself at the center of a deepening scandal after text messages allegedly exchanged between him and a female employee were leaked
As well as putting his marriage in jeopardy, 50-year-old Horner also risks breaching the code of moral conduct set out by F1’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).
Yet, The collaboration between Halliwell and Horner appears to have been marred by controversy from the start, after it emerged from the embers of a domestic drama.
The Red Bull manager initially had capart from his long-term partner, Beverley Allen, who gave birth to his daughter Olivia just six months earlier in favor of the pop star.
Halliwell has reportedly wanted to befriend Horner for years and was caught on camera getting closer to the Red Bull boss, The Mail on Sunday previously reported.
In 2009, Ginger Spice attended the Monaco Grand Prix and was pictured on Bernie Ecclestone’s arm with Horner in the background.
But Halliwell remained determined to make friends and two years later she was back in Monaco.
This time she had one arm wrapped around flamboyant former team owner and commentator Eddie Jordan, while the other clasped the back of an apparently nervous Horner.
As he leaned away, with at least a foot between them, his expression was something between a smile and a grimace.
2009: Ginger Spice attended the Monaco Grand Prix and was pictured on Bernie Ecclestone’s arm with Horner in the background
2011: Halliwell had one arm around flamboyant former team owner and commentator Eddie Jordan, while the other clasped the back of an apparently nervous Horner
2013: By the time the British Grand Prix at Silverstone took place in 2013, the couple seemed very close
The Red Bull manager had initially sidelined his long-term partner Beverley Allen (pictured), who only gave birth to his daughter Olivia six months earlier, in favor of the pop star.
But what a difference another two years made.
By the time the British Grand Prix at Silverstone took place in 2013, the pair seemed very close.
Halliwell smiled straight into the camera while Horner appeared happy and relaxed.
It is not clear how the relationship between Formula 1’s most loved couple hit the skids at what should have been a time of so much joy.
But sources previously said Geri clearly had her sights set on the sports boss as a friend of Horner claimed she had been following him ‘for a few years’.
Beverley gave birth to Horner’s child at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, UK, while he was away at the Japanese Grand Prix.
He later explained that he had hoped to fly home on time, but Beverley went into labor earlier than expected.
He told reporters at the time: “Olivia arrived around 3:30 a.m. Tokyo time.
‘On Wednesday we went to karaoke and soaked the baby’s head.
“Fatherhood will probably be my biggest challenge.”
Not long after, B arrivedEverley, a former publican, was locked behind the gates of the sprawling Oxfordshire country house where the couple kept chickens, ducks, dogs and miniature ponies in happier times.
She and Horner separated and a crew member, who saw Halliwell and Horner together at the British Grand Prix in 2013, said: ‘It was really weird. Geri just appeared – I mean, appeared everywhere.
2015: After a brief split, Halliwell and Horner finally reunited before tying the knot
2017: Haliwell and Horner later welcomed son Monty (pictured alongside her daughter Bluebell from a previous relationship and his daughter Olivia from his first marriage)
“So after the race Christian gave an interview and she just walked into the picture. She wasn’t supposed to be there and no one was expecting her, but then she got a microphone and kind of stopped the interview.”
It was reported at the time that Halliwell had told friends“Christian is the one,” although she is notoriously unlucky in love, once admitting, “I think we all know that relationships haven’t been one of my strong points.”
Her previous boyfriends include Chris Evans, Russell Brand and Robbie Williams, but to whom she was also once engaged Italian shipping magnate Fabrizio Politi.
Halliwell and Horner got engaged in 2014 after just months of dating, but are said to have briefly split as he tried to save his 14-year relationship with Beverley.which reportedly left the singer devastated.
But the couple eventually reunited before tying the knot in 2015 and welcoming son Monty together in 2017.
Horner had been with Beverly for 1 year4 years. She was six years older than him and had been by his side throughout his professional development as he acted as stepfather to her two sons from a previous relationship.