Longtail

CHRISITAN Horner’s relief after being cleared of wrongdoing was short-lived when private messages between him and a colleague were then leaked.The embattled Red Bull Racing chief, 50, has endured almost a month of twists and turns as he looks to save his reputation.Christian Horner stands in his team garage during the third practice session on FridayCredit: APHorner and wife Geri at the Ferrari Sky Premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in DecemberCredit: GettyHorner became the focus of an internal investigation early in February after a female colleague accused him of “coercive” and “inappropriate” behaviour.He was grilled for eight hours over claims before an independent barrister was employed to review the evidence.On Wednesday, Red Bull revealed Horner’s £8 million-a-year job was safe as he had been cleared of misconduct.The team principal, who has led the Austrian team since its formation in 2005, has always vehemently denied allegations made against him.More on Christian HornerBut less than 24 hours later hundreds of secret messages were leaked to the press – the latest in a series of twists in the ongoing saga threatening to overshadow the F1 season.Red Bull wrongfooted at firstThe probe got off to a rocky start straight away when the F1 team and its parent company contradicted each other.Red Bull Racing’s team office in Milton Keynes repeatedly denied the allegation of a complaint against Horner on February 4, The Times reported.But just a day later, Red Bull’s Global Headquarters in Austria put out a statement confirming an investigation.Most read in MotorsportIt is understood the statement was put out without officials at the F1 team being notified first.Inside Christian Horner’s 4-week fight for his career from 8hr grilling to Geri Halliwell’s agony…& why saga may go on Sexts surface in Dutch mediaAfter news broke of the probe, an independent lawyer flew to the UK to question the multi-millionaire race ace and his accuser.Horner was initially only under investigation over alleged controlling behaviour at work towards a female worker.But fresh claims then emerged alleging Horner also sent her “sexually suggestive” texts.News outlet De Telegraaf reported that Horner allegedly sent improper messages to his employee “over an extended period of time”.Messages were claimed to have been saved and presented as evidence to the external ­barrister running the inquiry after the woman made a complaint last December.Horner pictured with wife Geri Halliwell last yearCredit: GettyGeri standing by him Horner’s wife Geri Halliwell, who he married in 2015, was said to be “in floods of tears” when news of the scandal emerged.The Spice Girls star privately insisted he did nothing wrong, however.The Sun reported how Geri was being supported by her Spice Girl bandmates.A source said: “Geri has been left ­broken by the ordeal, but is grateful for the kindness being shown to her by friends.”More than a week after the probe was launched, she was pictured with Horner for a day at the races at Badbury Rings, Dorset.But later reports said the star was “mortified and angry” over the probe.Insiders say Geri had even begged Horner to “make it go away”, reports the Mail.On Wednesday, Geri was said to be “relieved and elated” when the case against her Red Bull Racing boss husband Horner was thrown out.But after a trove of flirty texts was leaked, their marriage is now said to be “in question”.Friends of Geri fear the latest bombshell will “destroy” the mum-of-two, who shares seven-year-old son Monty with Horner.One pal told the outlet: “It has all come crashing down.”The tears stopped when the judgment came in on Wednesday, now they absolutely will have started again. This will destroy her.”All along Christian promised there was nothing in it.”Geri landed in Bahrain on Thursday – having taken off from the UK before the messages were shared.Horner spoke with Verstappen at the Bahrain International CircuitCredit: APHorner exoneratedHorner found out on Wednesday he will remain at the Red Bull Racing team’s helm after an internal three-week investigation dismissed the grievance.It came after weeks of speculation over his future running the all-conquering team of F1 world champion Max Verstappen.A Red Bull Austria spokesman said: “The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed.”The team’s parent company confirmed the complainant “has a right of appeal”.The spokesman added: “Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial. “The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned.”Red Bull will continue striving to meet the highest workplace standards.”Horner found out his fate just minutes after landing in Bahrain ahead of the opening Grand Prix of the F1 season.Throughout the three-week probe, the message from within the team has been that it is “business as usual”.Horner was present at the pre-season testing in Bahrain a week prior and Red Bull’s 2024 car launch days prior.After he was cleared, Horner said he was “pleased” the investigation had been completed.Sexts leak to journalists/FIAJust when Horner thought he was in the clear and could fully focus on the Bahrain Grand Prix, a bombshell trove of hundreds of flirty WhatsApp sexts was sent to F1 teams and media outlets. The move was also calculated to cause maximum damage to Horner’s career – just 24 hours before the start of the new Grand Prix season in Bahrain.Horner immediately spoke out, saying: “I won’t comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate, I have always denied the allegations.”“I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and fully cooperated with it every step of the way.“It was a thorough and fair investigation conducted by an independent specialist barrister and it has concluded, dismissing the complaint made.”Leaked private texts appeared to suggest Red Bull Racing boss Horner, 50, pestered a female employee for pictures and engaged in secret flirty chats behind his wife’s back.Other messages discuss a solo sex act in an aircraft toilet.While there don’t appear to be any explicit images in the messages, some of the texts are sexually suggestive in nature.The woman – who works with Horner at the all-conquering grand prix team’s Milton Keynes HQ – apparently tired of her boss’s pleas for pictures and sexy chat, according to the WhatsApp dossier.She asks him to stop – and even asks how the dad would feel if Geri was behaving in the same way with one of her staff.Texts also suggest Horner became apologetic as he realised he had caused offence – and responded by asking the woman to delete their entire WhatsApp history.The mega-leak appeared to be in line with the original accusation faced over alleged “sexually suggestive “ messages sent by Horner.READ MORE SUN STORIESTeam Principal Horner arrived in Bahrain on Thursday and had proudly announced his team – led by world champ Max Verstappen – had “never been stronger” just hours before.A look at Christian Horner’s life and careerCHRISTIAN Horner is among the most well-known names in Formula One having helped build Red Bull into one of the biggest teams in the sport.
1973 – Born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
1991 – Wins a Formula Renault scholarship after impressing in karting races
1993-1997 – Competed in a host of competitions including British Formula Three, British Formula Two, and Formula 3000
1997 – Founded and developed the F3000 team Arden
1999 – Retired from driving and continued developing the Arden team
2005 – Appointed head of Red Bull team, becoming the youngest ever team principal at that time
2009 – Wins his first races as team principal with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber
2010 – Wins the Constructors’ Championship and Drivers’ Championship with Vettel – the first of four doubles in a row
2013 – Has a daughter with ex-wife Beverly Allen shortly before the couple split
2014 – Gets engaged to Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell
2015 – Marries Halliwell in Woburn, Bedfordshire
2017 – Horner and Halliwell welcome their son
2021 – Wins another Drivers’ Championship with Max Verstappen, beating Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the season
2022-23 – Red Bull win the Drivers’ Championship and Constructors’ Championship two years in a row More

F1 BOSS Christian Horner has been cleared of sending improper messages to a female employee – but the saga could be far from over.The Red Bull team principal must now attempt to rebuild his crisis-hit team after a tumultuous three weeks spent fighting for his career.Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner at the Bahrain International Circuit Sakhir ahead of the start of the F1 seasonCredit: AlamyHorner and Red Bull world champ Max Verstappen celebrate on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Japan in SeptemberCredit: 2023 Getty ImagesHorner, 50, was revealed on February 5 to be the subject of a formal complaint by a female colleague alleging controlling and coercive behaviour, with the probe later said to involve him allegedly sending improper messages to a woman.He vehemently denied the bombshell claims.Following a gruelling three-week internal investigation, he was yesterday cleared of any wrongdoing and it was confirmed he would keep his £8million-a-year job.A source told The Sun last night: “Christian’s career, his marriage and his reputation were attacked but there are now no question marks over his character.Read more on Christian Horner”There is no shadow. But questions are being asked about how this happened, why it happened, and who was responsible.”The former racing driver returned to the trackside for the first time today – all smiles and with a big task ahead of him.He must now repair the damage and provide assurances that his relationship with Red Bull world champ Max Verstappen, 26, remains strong enough to deliver a fourth consecutive drivers’ title.Some insiders believe Horner and Verstappen’s relationship is sufficiently healthy, The Times reports, despite the young driver choosing not to publicly support his boss yesterday.Most read in MotorsportWhen asked during a press conference if he was completely behind Horner, Verstappen said: “Well, I’m trusting the process, that’s what’s happening right now. I do not want to get into that.”Because it’s not my case anyway and I don’t want to be involved. But as a team, yeah, we do trust that process and we just have to be patient, because there’s no need to start saying things, start screaming things out loud. You have to be patient.”Christian Horner cleared following investigation into ‘inappropriate behaviour’Verstappen’s father, Jos, a former racing driver, is reportedly a friend of the female complainant, who worked at Red Bull’s headquarters in Milton Keynes as recently as Monday.Horner flew to Bahrain yesterday – accompanied by a senior adviser to the team, Helmut Marko – ahead of the F1 season’s opening race on Saturday, where Verstappen is hoped to lead the team to glory.The Red Bull boss told Sky Sports in Bahrain this morning: “I’m just pleased that the process is over.”I’m here very much now to focus on the season ahead and trying to defend both of our titles.He added that unity in the team “has never been stronger”.There is confidence in the Red Bull camp that Horner’s position is secure, even if the female complainant appeals the decision – which she has the right to do.A spokesman for Red Bull GmbH said: “The ­independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed.”Red Bull is confident the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial. The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned.”Horner is today seen talking on the phone in BahrainCredit: GettyThe team principal is all smiles as he arrives at the Bahrain International CircuitCredit: AFPHorner talks with Jos Verstappen ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of BahrainCredit: GettyThe report by the King’s Counsel, within which the grievance was dismissed, is understood be about 150 pages and was based on 60 hours of interviews with Horner and other staff members.Horner himself endured an eight-hour grilling over the claims.Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, 51, was said to be “relieved and elated” last night when her F1 boss husband was cleared of wrongdoing.She had stood solidly by Horner, who she married in 2015, from the moment the claims against him were made public.A source said: “This has been weeks of hell for Christian and his family.”As he has said all along, these claims are ‘nuts’.”An exhaustive investigation has been carried out and the allegations have proven to be nonsense.”Geri has been rock solid behind Christian – and his whole family is relieved and elated that it’s over. Those feelings are there but no one close to Christian feels like celebrating much after what he’s been through.”For the time being his focus is back fully on winning races.”The former popstar was reportedly left “in floods of tears” when the scandal broke earlier this month and was supported by pals including her fellow Spice Girls.I’m just pleased that the process is over. I’m here very much now to focus on the season ahead and trying to defend both of our titlesChristian HornerRed Bull Racing team principalShe may join her husband in Bahrain this weekend.What lies ahead for Horner’s career remains unclear, with some reportedly displeased by a lack of transparency in the investigation and others relieved to hear he was exonerated.The team principal’s position has been more precarious since his ally and Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz died in October 2022.Horner has reportedly managed to retain support from Chalerm Yoovidhya, who controls 51 per cent of Red Bull and is the eldest son of Chaleo, the Thai businessman who co-created Red Bull in 1984.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut not everyone feels warmly toward him and there have been talks, instigated by Red Bull Austria, of a possible reshuffle in the future.The possibility of such was dismissed – at least in the short term – by sources last night who insisted Horner would remain both team principal and chief executive of the all-conquering F1 team.Christian Horner and Geri Halliwell pose after the F1 Grand Prix of Italy in 2014Credit: GettyHorner looks on on the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi in 2022Credit: GettyThe saga may not be over yet for Christian HornerCredit: PAThe Red Bull Racing team boss, pictured on May 27, 1992Credit: GettyHorner pictured with an Austin 100 HP Grand Prix Racer in 1994Credit: GettyWhat was claimed?F1 was rocked earlier this month by the sudden news that the sport’s longest-standing team principal had been placed under investigation by Red Bull’s Austria-based parent company.

This was thought to be over a “dossier of incriminating material” regarding “inappropriate and controlling behaviour” towards one female, The Telegraph reported.
Red Bull’s Austrian parent company flew an independent lawyer to the UK to question the multi-millionaire race ace and his accuser.
The former racing driver, who runs world champion Max Verstappen’s all-conquering Red Bull team, endured an eight-hour grilling over the claims.
Most recently, however, more allegations came as the De Telegraaf reported that Horner allegedly sent improper messages to his employee “over an extended period of time”.
Messages were claimed to have been saved and presented as evidence to the external ­barrister running the inquiry after the woman made a complaint last December.
Mr Horner categorically denied the new allegations and is thought to be taking legal action against De Telegraaf.
The investigation raised the question of who could take over the helm of the all-conquering racing team of world champion Max Verstappen.
His wife Geri Halliwell was also said to be “terrified her life would unravel” amid Horner’s “inappropriate behaviour” probe.
The ex-Spice Girl, who was “in floods of tears” when the Red Bull boss was hit with the bombshell allegations, feared the drama will drag on for years, a source claimed. 
But Geri, 51, stood by her husband.
She told pals: “Christian has done nothing wrong.”
Horner has overseen a huge period of success for the racing team – winning multiple F1 championships with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.
Red Bull has won seven Formula One world drivers’ championships and six world ­constructors’ titles under Horner’s leadership.
Last season, the team won 21 of the 22 races on the global F1 tour, and Verstappen, 26, won the drivers’ crown.
Horner was awarded a CBE for services to motorsport in the 2024 New Year’s Honours List. More