Christian Horner‘s sexting accuser has been dramatically suspended by Red Bull, it emerged as we speak – because the F1 boss broke cowl in Saudi Arabia with out his spouse Geri Halliwell forward of this weekend’s Grand Prix.
The shock transfer comes after Halliwell reportedly demanded her under-fire husband cuts ties together with his junior colleague, with the previous Spice Girl mentioned to need the girl ‘out of the image’.
Halliwell mounted a clumsy present of help for him on the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday, with the couple kissing and hugging in entrance of the cameras earlier than Max Verstappen claimed victory for Red Bull.
Today’s growth follows claims in The Times that the feminine colleague had been given till yesterday to file an enchantment in opposition to the choice to clear Horner of controlling behaviour – which adopted a week-long probe by an impartial barrister.
The pair have continued to work collectively for the reason that scandal broke, with insiders reportedly saying the ‘established order’ couldn’t proceed and both the girl or Horner must go away.
It is unclear precisely why she has been suspended and a Red Bull spokesperson mentioned: ‘The firm can’t touch upon this inner matter’.
Today, the Red Bull staff principal was noticed deep in talks with a colleague in Saudi Arabia’s capital metropolis Jeddah. Among his critics have been star driver Max Verstappen‘s dad Jos – with the pair seen rowing final week.
Red Bull staff principal Christian Horner was seen in Jeddah forward of the Saudi Grand Prix
The beleaguered Red Bull boss has been combating for his job this month amid a texting scandal
Horner and Geri Halliwell maintain fingers in a public show of unity on the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday
Horner, 50, had been cleared to proceed as Red Bull staff principal final Wednesday following an inner probe – however 24 hours later, flirtatious texts allegedly exchanged between him and the feminine complainant had been leaked to 149 F1 figures.
While Ginger Spice might have stood by her husband in a present of solidarity this weekend, insiders mentioned the pop star wished the feminine worker ‘out of the image’.
A supply beforehand advised The Sun: ‘Although she smiled for the cameras on the Grand Prix, Geri has laid down some strict floor guidelines.
‘One is that Christian cuts or reduces contact with the girl — however that’s troublesome due to her position at Red Bull.
‘And she has undoubtedly had her say over what messages he sends. For apparent causes, Geri would really like the feminine colleague — who she knew earlier than her appointment — to be out of the image as a lot as attainable.’
The supply added that Red Bull can’t sack the girl as a result of there are not any grounds to take action.
An F1 insider additionally advised the publication that Halliwell, who shares a son, seven-year-old Monty, with Horner, had proven ‘nothing however help’ to her husband however is unlikely to be on the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix subsequent weekend as a result of she is ‘extremely busy’.
Horner is going through calls to stop his position and has been accused by Verstappen’s father, Jos, of ‘driving the staff aside’.
Verstappen Snr, who manages his world champion son Max, advised Mail Sport in Bahrain: ‘There is rigidity right here whereas he stays in place. The staff is in peril of being torn aside. It cannot go on the way in which it’s. It will explode. He is taking part in the sufferer, when he’s the one inflicting the issues.’
In additional feedback to The Telegraph, he mentioned: ‘It can’t proceed this manner. The scenario is just not good for the staff and is driving individuals aside.’
But a spokesman for Red Bull mentioned: ‘There are not any points right here. The staff are united and we’re targeted on racing.’
Ralf Schumacher, youthful brother of seven-time F1 champion Michael, has claimed both Horner or Max Verstappen should go away Red Bull within the wake of the scandal.
‘If Christian Horner holds on to his seat with all his would possibly,’ Schumacher, the brother of F1 legend Michael advised Austrian outlet Kronen Zeitung.
‘He won’t solely injury Red Bull, he may also be sure that Max Verstappen leaves the staff.’
Horner, in the meantime, has mentioned he ‘completely’ expects to stay in cost at Red Bull for subsequent week’s Grand Prix.
The former Spice Girl celebrates with Horner after Red Bull secured a memorable one-two end in Bahrain
Halliwell kisses her husband earlier than the beginning of the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon
Horner stands behind his spouse as Red Bull have a good time taking first and second place within the inaugural race of the season
Max Verstappen celebrates successful the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday
The Red Bull chief mentioned his ‘focus is on this staff’ and ‘my household’ as he kicked off the Formula One season
The Red Bull chief advised Sky Sports he ‘would not be right here in any other case’ if he thought he was about to lose management of the F1 staff.
He mentioned: ‘We have gotten large help, large companions and nice shareholders behind us as effectively.
‘You do not obtain this sort of consequence by not being united.’
Asked if he nonetheless expects to be in cost by the point subsequent week’s race kicks off in Jeddah, he mentioned: ‘Yes, completely. I would not be right here in any other case.’
Before the race Horner and his spouse, who he has been married to since 2015, had been noticed in a public show of unity.
Horner had slipped out of the again of Red Bull’s hospitality suite via a gate to fulfill her as she arrived on the important entrance of the paddock.
They then held fingers as they walked via the paddock to Red Bull’s hospitality suite. During the quick stroll they had been mobbed by photographers and TV crews.
The couple had been all smiles at lunch the place they had been later joined by Red Bull’s head of communication and former F1 staff principal Flavio Briatore and Red Bull’s majority shareholder, and Horner ally, Thai billionaire Chalerm Yoovidhya.
Horner headed for the race grid about 45 minutes earlier than the 3pm begin, giving Geri a kiss as he left.
Sources reportedly mentioned the previous Spice Girls singer is ‘livid’ along with her husband, however has not ‘gone nuclear’.
After they kissed on digital camera, Halliwell appeared to look straight at photographers
Race winner Max Verstappen and Christian Horner have a good time after successful the F1 Grand Prix in Bahrain
Geri Halliwell celebrates in Bahrain after Red Bull claimed a one-two victory after a troublesome couple of weeks
Christian Horner was noticed chatting to former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson in Bahrain
Friends of Halliwell beforehand advised the publication she had ‘learn him the riot act’ over the scenario.
Horner, who has at all times denied the claims, mentioned beforehand: ‘I’ve the help of an unimaginable household, an unimaginable spouse, an unimaginable staff and all people inside that staff.
‘And my focus is occurring racing, successful racing and doing the perfect I can.
‘It was a day about beginning the season in the absolute best means. My focus is on this staff, my household, my spouse and racing.’
The WhatsApp messages had been despatched from an nameless electronic mail account to 149 members of the F1 paddock – together with the president of the game’s governing physique Mohammed ben Sulayem, F1 chief government Stefano Domenicali and the grid’s 9 different staff principals, in addition to members of the media.
The bombshell electronic mail contained 79 paperwork, together with tons of of messages, lots of them of a sexual nature.
Horner continues to function in his position as staff principal and chief government, though it’s understood there’s appreciable unease among the many staff’s plethora of sponsors and companions.
He spoke solely as soon as concerning the newest allegations as he made his means from Red Bull’s hospitality suite to the staff’s storage on Friday.
‘I’m not going to touch upon nameless hypothesis from unknown sources,’ he mentioned.
When requested what comes subsequent, Horner replied: ‘We go racing.’