Geri Halliwell ‘set to skip next Formula One race in Saudi Arabia’ after she ‘demanded husband Christian Horner cut ties’ with female colleague he was accused of sending racy messages to

Geri Halliwell will miss this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as she is ‘incredibly busy’, reports claim.

The former Spice Girl showed her support for husband Christian Horner at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday, walking hand in hand with him before the race, before kissing him as Max Verstappen claimed victory for Red Bull.

Red Bull chief Horner – who earns £8million a year – was the subject of an internal investigation last month after allegations of ‘coercive behavior’ towards a female colleague were made against him, before he was cleared on Wednesday.

But then photos emerged in an anonymous email sent to 149 figures within the sport, revealing sexually suggestive WhatsApp messages to the complainant.

Halliwell, 51, is said to have ‘read her husband the riot act’ before putting on a show of unity, with insiders saying the pop star wants the female employee in question ‘out of the picture’.

The former Spice Girl celebrates with Horner after Red Bull scored a memorable one-two in Bahrain

Halliwell kisses her husband on Saturday afternoon before the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix

And although Ginger Spice has stood by her husband in a show of solidarity, The Sun reports that she will not be attending next weekend’s race in Saudi Arabia due to her hectic schedule.

A source said The sun: ‘Christian is going to Saudi Arabia for the race next weekend and I doubt Geri will be there – but that’s because she’s incredibly busy.’

Another name that will not be present at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is ​​Max Verstappen’s father, Jos.

Verstappen Snr has accused Horner of ‘tearing the team apart’ and has hinted his son could leave Red Bull if things don’t change.

Verstappen Snr, who manages three-time world champion son Max, told Mail Sport in Bahrain: ‘There is tension here as he stays in position. The team is in danger of falling apart. It cannot continue as it is. It will explode. He plays the victim, while he is the one causing the problems.’

In further comments to The Telegraph, he said: ‘It can’t go on like this. The situation is not good for the team and is driving people apart.’

Mail Sport revealed on Saturday how Jos, Michael Schumacher’s former teammate, got into a blazing row in Horner’s paddock office after qualifying on Friday evening.

Verstappen, 51, left the fiery meeting before returning to the room and shaking hands.

Horner stands behind his wife as Red Bull celebrates taking first and second place in the first race of the season

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen celebrates his victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday

Red Bull chief said his ‘focus is on this team’ and ‘my family’ as he kicked off the F1 season

According to his relations, Horner believes that Verstappen Snr has organized a campaign to oust him in recent weeks, with the implication that the Dutchman even had a hand in the email leak.

Verstappen denies the claims and says: ‘That would make no sense. Why would I do that if Max is doing so well here?’

And the Telegraph further reports that during the weekend of the Bahrain Grand Prix – which Max won with flying colors – Jos openly courted and spoke to rival team Mercedes chief Toto Wolff.

They were seen together in plain sight in the paddock on several occasions as the pair both stayed at the Four Seasons hotel and spoke at length.

However, a Red Bull spokesperson said: ‘There are no problems here. The team is united and we are focused on racing.”

Horner, meanwhile, has said he ‘absolutely’ expects to remain in charge at Red Bull for next week’s Grand Prix.

The Red Bull chief told Sky Sports that he ‘wouldn’t be here otherwise’ if he thought he was about to lose control of the F1 team.

After they kissed on camera, Halliwell appeared to look directly at the photographers

Race winner Max Verstappen and Christian Horner celebrate after winning the F1 Grand Prix in Bahrain

He said: ‘We have great support, great partners and also great shareholders behind us.

“You can’t achieve these kinds of results by not being united.”

Asked if he still expects to be in the lead by the time the race starts in Jeddah next week, he said: “Yes, absolutely. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.’

Before the race, Horner and his wife, whom he has been married to since 2015, were spotted in a public display of unity.

Horner had slipped out the back of Red Bull’s hospitality suite through a gate to meet her 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.

Max Verstappen’s father Jos (photo) will also skip the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix next weekend

It comes after Jos claimed Red Bull will ‘explode’ if Christian Horner stays with the team

The couple were all smiles at lunch, where they were later joined by Red Bull’s head of communications and former F1 team boss Flavio Briatore and Red Bull’s majority shareholder, and Horner ally, Thai billionaire Chalerm Yoovidhya.

Horner left for the race grid about 45 minutes before the 3pm start and gave Geri a kiss as he left.

Sources told The Sun that the former Spice Girls singer is ‘furious’ with her husband but has not ‘gone nuclear’.

Friends of Halliwell previously told the publication that she had read him “the riot act” over the situation.

Horner, who has always denied the claims, previously said: “I have the support of a great family, a great wife, a great team and everyone within that team.

‘And my focus is on racing, winning races and doing the best I can.

‘It was a day where we had to start the season in the best possible way. My focus is on this team, my family, my wife and racing.”

The WhatsApp messages were sent from an anonymous email account to 149 members of the F1 paddock – including the chairman of the sport’s governing body Mohammed ben Sulayem, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali and the nine other grid team leaders, as well as members of the media. .

The bombshell email contained 79 documents, including hundreds of messages, many of which were allegedly of a sexual nature.

Horner continues to operate in his role as team principal and general manager, although it is understood there is significant disquiet among the team’s plethora of sponsors and partners.

Geri Halliwell celebrates in Bahrain after Red Bull achieved a one-two victory after a difficult few weeks

He spoke about the latest allegations only once as he walked from Red Bull’s hospitality suite to the team’s garage on Friday.

“I’m not going to comment on anonymous speculation from unknown sources,” he said.

When asked what comes next, Horner replied: “We’re going to race.”

MailOnline has contacted Halliwell representatives for comment.