- Christian Horner was acquitted of ‘coercive behavior towards female employee’
- But texts and photos that the Red Bull director is said to have sent have now been leaked
- He urged Red Bull to have ‘never been so strong’ ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix
Text messages and photos that Christian Horner allegedly sent to a female colleague have been revealed after the Red Bull director was cleared of wrongdoing on Wednesday.
Horner, the 50-year-old husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was accused of ‘coercive behavior towards female employees’ but stayed in his £8million-a-year job after Red Bull Racing confirmed their internal investigation into the matter had been completed . During the investigation he strongly denied all allegations.
Mail Sport can reveal that the text messages allegedly from Horner were leaked ahead of Formula 1’s opening ceremony in Bahrain.
The world champion team’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH in Salzburg, which launched the investigation on February 5, released a statement on Wednesday saying: ‘The 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 the right to appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation was fair, rigorous and impartial.
Christian Horner was acquitted on Wednesday of ‘coercive behavior towards female employee’
Alleged text messages that 50-year-old Horner sent to the female employee have been leaked
Red Bull launched the investigation into Horner, husband of ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, on February 5
‘The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who participated in the investigation. Out of respect for all involved, we will therefore make no further comment. Red Bull will continue to strive to meet the highest standards in the workplace.”
Horner broke his silence on the completed investigation on Thursday morning as Red Bull prepared for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Horner told Sky Sports on Thursday morning: ‘I’m just glad the process is over, I can’t comment on it.
‘The focus now is very much on the Grand Prix and the coming season and on defending both our titles.’
Asked if he felt this was the end of the matter, the Red Bull chief replied: ‘I cannot comment further, but the process has been carried out and completed. I am happy to be here in Bahrain and looking forward to the coming season.
‘The unity in the team has never been stronger.’
Horner has won 13 world championships since taking charge of the team in 2005 at the age of 31. He was the youngest team boss on the grid at the time, but now has the longest tenure.
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen was questioned ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix about whether Red Bull’s investigation into Horner had affected or changed the team’s preparations for the season.
The Dutchman emphasized that his focus has not changed and replied: ‘That is not the case. I am very focused on the performance of the car and myself.
Former pop star Geri (left) was devastated by the shock to their lives as a result of the claims
Horner embraces three-time champion Verstappen in Bahrain ahead of the 2024 curtain-raiser
Max Verstappen emphasized that he and Red Bull had not changed their preparations during the investigation
‘Hopefully it will be resolved soon. It is a team effort that requires everyone to stick together and work towards greater success. That is why it is important to get everything resolved as quickly as possible.
“(Horner) is very important, otherwise he wouldn’t have been in that position for so long.”
Former Spice Girl sensation Geri, mother of their seven-year-old son Monty, stood firmly behind Horner throughout the ordeal. She is said to be ‘devastated’ by the shock the investigation has had on their lives.
It is understood she could join him in Bahrain to watch the start of the 2024 Formula 1 campaign.
More to follow.