Red Bull’s future engine supplier Ford fall silent on Christian Horner following leaked texts allegedly sent by the F1 boss after previously being vocal that they expect ‘high standards of behaviour and integrity’

By James On Mar 1, 2024

Red Bull’s future engine supplier Ford is keeping quiet about Christian Horner after previously speaking out following initial accusations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ against the team boss.

The 50-year-old’s future at the Formula 1 team is under scrutiny after he was accused last month of ‘coercive behaviour’ towards a close female associate of the Milton Keynes-based team.

Reports in the Netherlands claimed the allegations went even deeper, with Horner allegedly sending sexual messages to the woman in question.

And although Horner – the husband of former Spice Girl Geri Haillwell – was cleared of wrongdoing following an investigation into his conduct, the saga took another twist after 79 screenshots of text messages allegedly sent by the supremo surfaced online.

Hundreds of WhatsApp messages, some of which were apparently of a sexual nature, were sent via an anonymous account to 149 key Formula 1 figures, including all of Horner’s fellow team leaders. FIA President Mohammad ben Sulayem, who is in the paddock today, was also among the recipients.

Ford has refused to comment on leaked messages allegedly sent by Red Bull chief Christian Horner, as the crisis facing the F1 boss deepens

Red Bull’s future engine supplier previously spoke out about the saga after initial allegations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ against Horner emerged

Mark Rushbrook, the global head of Ford Performance Motorsport, said the ‘family business’ expects ‘very high standards of conduct and integrity’ in response to the Horner controversy

When Mail Sport approached Ford – which will become Red Bull’s engine supplier in 2026 – regarding the leaked messages and ongoing speculation about its future, the company declined to comment.

Earlier in February, Ford had raised concerns about the allegations and warned that they expected “very high standards of conduct and integrity.”

Mark Rushbrook, global head of Ford Performance Motorsport, said at Daytona International Speedway last month: “As a family-owned business and a company held to very high standards of conduct and integrity, we expect the same from our partners.

‘It seems to us, and what we were told, was that Red Bull is taking the situation very seriously. And of course they are also concerned about their brand.

“And that’s why they have an independent investigation and until we see what truth comes out of that, it’s too early for us to comment on that.”

Horner – who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell – is fighting to save his career after hundreds of messages allegedly sent to a female employee were leaked online

Horner and Halliwell in a holiday photo taken on an unknown beach at Christmas

Horner is currently in Bahrain after leaving for the start of the F1 season, where he vowed to fight on within hours of the scandal deepening. He led Red Bull’s F1 team for 19 years and to 13 world championships.

He is also fighting to save his nine-year marriage to Geri, who is said to have “had a total meltdown” over the leak.

Ben Sulayem and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali will hold a meeting to discuss the leaks, and it remains to be seen whether the governing body will launch its own investigation.

This morning, Horner spoke to a senior FOM figure in the team’s hospitality area.

“I will not comment on anonymous speculation,” Horner said in his statement Thursday after the email arrived. ‘But I repeat: I have always denied the allegations.

“I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and cooperated fully with it every step of the way.

Horner led the Red Bull team for 19 years and to 13 world championships

HORNER PROBE TIMELINE

February 5 – Parent company of Red Bull Racing GmbH confirms that Horner is under investigation after an accusation of ‘inappropriate behaviour’. The company says it ‘takes these matters very seriously and the investigation will be completed as quickly as practicable’.

February 9th – Horner is interrogated by a lawyer for eight hours at a secret location in London. There is no immediate solution.

15 February – Horner appears at Red Bull’s car launch – his first public appearance since news of the allegations emerged. He promises to step into his role as Red Bull team boss for the first race of the season and says: ‘For me it is business as normal.’

February 18 – F1 makes its first public comment on the issue, calling for Horner’s future to be ‘clarified at the earliest opportunity’.

February 20 – Despite the ongoing investigation, Horner will fly to Bahrain for three days of testing ahead of the new season.

February 21st – Horner takes his position on the Red Bull pit wall for the opening day of testing. Rival Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is demanding transparency in Red Bull’s investigation, saying the controversy is ‘a problem for the entire Formula 1’.

February 22 – Horner appears at a press conference together with four other F1 team leaders. He declined to comment on the investigation, but said “everyone wants a conclusion as soon as possible.”

February 23 – Red Bull’s three-time world champion Max Verstappen says ‘it will be nice for everyone’ if the investigation into Horner is completed. Horner will return to England after the test.

February 28 – Red Bull GmbH announces that the ‘independent investigation into the allegations against Mr Horner has been completed and Red Bull can confirm that the complaint has been dismissed’, allowing Horner to remain in his position.

February 29 – Text messages and photos allegedly sent by Horner to a female employee have been leaked, just hours after the Red Bull boss broke his silence on the investigation,

‘It was a thorough and fair investigation, carried out by an independent, specialist lawyer, and the conclusion is that the complaint submitted has been dismissed.

‘I remain fully focused on the start of the season.’

The company announced its conclusion on Wednesday, saying: ‘The independent investigation into the allegations against Mr Horner has been completed and Red Bull can confirm that the complaint has been dismissed.

The complainant has a right of appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.”

Horner also changed his WhatsApp avatar yesterday. It is no longer the image that appears in the alleged exchanges with the woman in question.

Horner’s wife, former Spice Girl Halliwell, had planned to fly to the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend to publicly reunite with Horner, but those close to the former pop star have said it is now ‘highly unlikely ‘ is that she will join him .

Instead, the mother-of-two felt “humiliated” after the messages “spread so widely”, a friend added.

Hundreds of intimate WhatsApp conversations between Horner and the colleague were released via an anonymous email account.

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