Red Bull chiefs back Christian Horner ahead of Saudi Grand Prix as wife Geri Halliwell is expected to attend despite sex texts scandal – while Jos Verstappen gives his backing to suspended woman
The chief executive of Red Bull has backed Christian Horner ahead of the Saudi Grand Prix today where his wife Geri Halliwell is expected to make an appearance despite the ongoing ‘sex texts’ scandal.
Formula 1 boss Horner, 50, who is married to the former Spice Girl, 51, was accused of ‘coercive behaviour’ by a female colleague last month – a claim he was cleared of in an internal inquiry last Wednesday.
Then, just 24 hours after he was exonerated, a series of WhatsApps, supposedly between him and his accuser, were leaked to members of the press and Formula One bosses.
Horner, who claimed earlier this week that the grievance has been ‘dealt with in the most professional manner’, has now been pictured speaking with Franz Watzlawick, CEO of Red Bull, prior to the race in Jeddah today.
The pair appeared to be in deep conversation as they sat side by side in the Red Bull Racing paddock before posing for a photograph together in an apparent show of unity.
Former Spice Girl Halliwell is also expected make an appearance at the track later today to publicly support her husband after attending the Bahrain GP last week just days after learning about the leaked texts.
Horner’s accuser is a colleague of the Red Bull team principal and was suspended earlier this week on full pay because of the probe.
Officials claimed it was because she had been ‘dishonest’ but sources have expressed shock claiming she has been hung out to dry while Horner has kept his £8 million a year job.
It was revealed yesterday that the woman has won backing from former Grand Prix ace Jos Verstappen
, 52, who is the father of current world champion Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s prime driver.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline while taking part in the Hannut Rally in Belgium, he said: ‘I sympathise with the woman, with all that she went through, but we will see what happens.’
When asked if it was time to ‘draw a line’ under the situation, as Horner said at his press conference in Saudi Arabia ahead of this weekend’s race, Verstappen snr was dismissive.
He said: ‘I think it’s a bit too late for that now. If that’s what he wants, fine, but I don’t think it will be possible. I don’t want to talk too much more as it will create problems.
‘But the most important thing for me is that Max is happy, that’s what counts for me, I just want him to be happy.’
