Geri Horner showed ‘tension’ towards Christian in Bahrain and was the one who ‘driven their PR response’ to her husband’s leaked text message scandal, a body language expert has claimed.
The couple walked hand in hand in the Paddock ahead of the season opener in Bahrain this afternoon. Halliwell’s eyes were red as she put on a brave face and smiled as her husband clenched her hand.
After Christian was cleared of allegations of inappropriate conduct, flirty WhatsApp messages apparently exchanged between Horner and the female complainant were leaked to 149 F1 figures while Halliwell was on a flight to see her husband ahead of this weekend’s season opener in Bahrain .
Speaking to FEMAIL, body language expert Judi James said Geri was trying to convey ‘resilience’ and overlook her husband’s leaked texting scandal during today’s races.
The expert said: ‘Geri’s subdued, slightly clenched smile is clearly intended to signal resilience and a message of ‘ignore’ any current stories circulating about her husband.
Pictured: Christian and Geri Horner seen arriving hand in hand at the Bahrain Grand Prix after his flirty messages were leaked online
‘However, this display of loyalty contains several incongruent signals that indicate inner tension on her part and an uneasy fear on his part.
“Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes, which indicates a lack of true happiness.”
Furthermore, the expert highlighted how Geri led the way with their public display of unity.
She continued, “It appears that their hand clasp is being guided by her, while in some shots it is being pulled closer to her body, suggesting that she is the one driving this PR response.
‘He has now put one hand in his pocket, creating a gesture that can often indicate a desire to hide.’
Additionally, Judi also noted how the couple’s hand holding could be interpreted as another sign of tension.
Judi explained: “Christian puts a hand in his pocket to feign nonchalance, but a close-up of their handshake shows his knuckles are white as he holds her hand tightly enough to suggest tension.
“Her hand is pointed upward, suggesting compliance and consent, and her fingers are curled around his hand to strengthen that firm grip.
According to body language expert Judi James, Geri’s smile lacked ‘genuine happiness’ during today’s Grand Prix
The expert said of Christian: ‘The expert said, ‘His smile looks executed and awkward, while hers just involves a curl of the lips without an eye smile to make it look congruent.’
Speaking about their arrival at the Grand Prix, Judi said: ‘It appears their hand clasp is being guided by her, while in some shots it is being pulled closer to her body, suggesting she is the one driving this PR response’
Judi said: ‘A close-up of their hand clasp shows his knuckles are white as he holds her hand tightly enough to suggest tension’
Judi also commented that Geri and Christian’s kiss at the Bahrain Grand Prix was ‘awkward’ and may have been PR ‘overkill’
In addition to Geri’s smile “lacking real happiness,” Judi claimed Christian’s body language was also performative.
The expert said: ‘His smile looks sophisticated and awkward, while hers consists only of the upward curl of the lips without an eye smile to make it look congruent.’
Judi also noted that Geri and Christian’s kiss was “awkward” and may have been PR “overkill” to quell any rumors that their marriage was in crisis.
She continued, “The kiss looks a little awkward, which would be the case with all the camera interest. It might also have been an exaggeration.
‘When performing under pressure, it is often best to keep your body language simple, perhaps with just a loving smile.
Halliwell smiled through pursed lips next to her knee-length eggshell dress
As they walked up the steps of Red Bull’s rooms, Horner placed his hand on his wife’s back
However, Christian leans in to plant this kiss and it seems he misses the mark, not in Charles and Diana’s disastrous way, but Geri’s lips seem to have landed on his chin instead of completely on the mouth.
“It’s a strong, intentional gesture of marital continuity, but it looks awkward and her raised hand doesn’t appear to make contact with his torso.”
Horner was cleared to continue as head of Red Bull following an internal investigation into ‘inappropriate conduct’ by the F1 team’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH. The 50-year-old has always denied the claims.
The Red Bull F1 boss initially broke cover during Saturday morning’s Grand Prix with no trace of his wife Geri Halliwell after his wife discovered the texts had been leaked while flying on a private jet.
An insider previously told the Mail there would be ‘chaos’ if Geri showed her face at Saturday’s Grand Prix.
Halliwell, who married the Red Bull team boss in 2015, had a “meltdown” when she landed in the Gulf state on a private jet on Thursday and discovered the bombshell messages plastered all over social media.
The 51-year-old singer has a son, Montague George Hector Horner, with Horner.
She also has a daughter, Bluebell Madonna, born in 2006, with former partner and screenwriter Sacha Gervasi.