In a shocking turn of events on the eve of the Formula 1 season opener in Bahrain, a series of alleged text messages and photos exchanged between Red Bull Racing Team Principal, Christian Horner, and an unidentified female colleague have surfaced. The leak comes just 24 hours after Red Bull cleared Horner of any sexually inappropriate behavior following a three-week internal investigation.
Christian Horner Leaked Messages
Horner, 50, arrived in Bahrain for the Grand Prix, seemingly unaffected by the recent controversy. Married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell since 2015, he expressed his pleasure at the conclusion of the investigation during a press briefing, with Geri reportedly feeling “relieved and elated.”
A Google drive containing all the “Christian Horner evidence” has just been emailed from an anonymous account to hundreds of journalists
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) February 29, 2024
The leaked messages reveal details of private conversations between Horner and the female colleague, adding a new layer to the already contentious situation. The messages emerged just as Geri was reportedly set to join her husband in Bahrain.
Throughout the investigation, Horner maintained his innocence, vehemently denying allegations of inappropriate messages. In a statement to Sky Sports, he stated, “I’m just pleased that the process is over. The focus is very much now on the Grand Prix and the season ahead and trying to defend both of our titles.”
Red Bull Boss Cleared by Company Amidst Allegations of Inappropriate Conduct
Red Bull Racing’s parent company in Austria confirmed the dismissal of the woman’s claims and released a statement asserting that the investigation was fair, rigorous, and impartial. The company emphasized its commitment to maintaining the highest workplace standards but did not disclose further details due to confidentiality concerns.
Correction: In addition to journalists, it is sent to the other team principals, Liberty Media, Stefano Domenicali, and many others. The file contains photos of whatsapp messages and other photos. https://t.co/TTXSR4vfRl
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) February 29, 2024
The complainant, still employed at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes HQ, has the right to appeal the decision, according to the team’s parent company.
Close sources to Geri Horner described the past weeks as “hell” for the family, with Geri providing unwavering support to her husband. Despite the relief, there is an air of caution among those close to Christian Horner, and the focus remains on the upcoming races.
As the controversy unfolded, AP Sports reporter Jenna Fryer revealed that evidence related to the case had been anonymously shared through a Google Drive link with Liberty Media, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, F1 team principals, and numerous journalists. The evidence allegedly contains photos of WhatsApp messages and other materials pertinent to the case.
With the leaked evidence circulating among key figures in the Formula 1 community, the aftermath of Red Bull’s internal investigation continues to unfold, casting a shadow over the racing team just ahead of the highly anticipated season opener.
What were the allegations against Christian Horner, and why was there an investigation?
Christian Horner, the Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, faced allegations of sending sexually inappropriate messages to a female colleague. Following these accusations, Red Bull initiated a three-week internal investigation into the matter to determine the validity of the claims.
What was the outcome of the investigation, and how did Christian Horner react?
Red Bull’s parent company cleared Christian Horner of any misconduct. The company released a statement asserting that the investigation was fair, rigorous, and impartial. Horner expressed relief at the conclusion of the process during a press briefing in Bahrain, just before the Formula 1 season opener.
Were the leaked text messages authentic, and what did they reveal?
The authenticity of the leaked text messages has not been independently verified. The messages and photos suggest private conversations between Christian Horner and an unidentified female colleague. The content of these messages has not been publicly disclosed.
