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      Smiling Christian Horner shrugs off sext scandal at F1 as ‘humiliated’ Geri lays low amid fears MORE messages will leak

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      A SMILING Christian Horner appears to have shrugged off his sext scandal as he arrived alone at the Bahrain Grand Prix today.Geri Halliwell landed in Bahrain on Thursday night but has since been laying low amid fears more bombshell messages could be leaked.A smiling Christian Horner was seen today at the Bahrain Grand PrixCredit: PAThe Red Bull Racing boss seemed to have shrugged off his sext bombshell scandalCredit: PAHorner with his wife Geri Halliwell pictured at the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco last MayCredit: GettyMeanwhile, the Red Bull Racing chief was seen today focused and ready to take on the 2024 Formula One season.Horner was pictured on his own today walking into the paddock ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix.The former Spice Girl, 51, is expected to join her husband on the paddock later today as Red Bull bosses confirmed to The Daily Mail.Horner was previously snapped at a practice session in Bahrain with driver Max Verstappen making preparations ahead of Friday’s qualifying.He was also seen pacing from the hospitality area to the team’s garage, stopping only to check his phone and to sign autographs for waiting children.The trove of texts sent anonymously to F1 bosses and media outlets confirmed Horner did send inappropriate messages behind his wife Geri Halliwell’s back, despite being cleared in a Red Bull probe.The team boss refused to comment on the leaked WhatsApp sexts.Some of the grubby messages were reported, including a request for a “Santa PJ selfie”.Most read in MotorsportHe also regularly joked about Spanx, telling the woman she looks “attractive” in them.In another, Horner starts by asking if he can make a “confession”.Christian Horner cleared following investigation into ‘inappropriate behaviour’He then describes a trip on a private jet to Dubai where he claims that the woman got him “out of control”.It was reported that the Red Bull chief – who has won 13 world titles since heading the team as a 31-year-old in 2005 – had been hauled in for crisis talks with F1 bosses.The tension was palpable down in the paddock, with Red Bull team members avoiding mentioning the simmering scandal, other than the odd whisper.Horner’s wife Geri Halliwell was left “heartbroken and humiliated” after hundreds of sexts sent by her hubby to a female employee were leaked.The Spice Girl, 51, touched down in Bahrain on Thursday night just as the bombshell messages began to spread around the globe.Geri reportedly refused to see her husband after his sext leak but was talked into it by his family.She was said to be adamant about not seeing her husband, but Horner’s mother pleaded with her to publicly support him as a gesture of solidarity, The Mirror reported.A source close to the pop star, who was on a Bahrain-bound private jet when the messages emerged, told The Sun: “Geri is heartbroken and feels utterly humiliated. She trusted him when he tried to play down the scandal.“He always told her he’d done nothing wrong. This will really hurt Geri, who has put everything into their marriage.”It comes asMeanwhile, The Sun has learned that Geri knew of the female employee at the centre of the texting scandal. A Red Bull insider said she even approved of the woman working in Horner’s team.It was also claimed yesterday that the employee was “unhappy” after the messages were leaked and believed the probe into his behaviour had been “one-sided”.A friend said: “We speak every day and she’s very unhappy – of course. In her way of thinking it’s all very one-sided and she has been crucified.”It comes after a mole close to the Red Bull Racing camp allegedly detonated the Christian Horner sexting scandal in a bid to oust the F1 team boss, The Sun can reveal.Red Bull are investigating claims that an unknown player connected to the team orchestrated the WhatsApp leak and acted as a “puppet master”.The anonymous release came a day after team principal Horner was cleared of sending improper texts to a female employee.An F1 insider told The Sun: “Rumours are swirling at Red Bull that there’s a mole in their ranks, someone who has it in for Christian.“The leak came as a shock. Someone has a vendetta against Christian.”That person acted like a puppet master.“It seems to have been calculated to cause maximum damage to Christian’s career, humiliating him just 24 hours before the F1 season begins.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He believes someone set out to destroy him professionally and personally.”But the team stands firmly behind Christian and everyone’s working towards a common goal.”A calm Christian talking to fellow Red Bull staff ahead of this afternoon’s raceCredit: PAHorner arrived on his own at the Bahrain International Circuit on SaturdayCredit: GettyChristian Horner had hundreds of sexts sent by him to a female employee leakedCredit: GettyRed Bull Racing star Max Verstappen arriving at the Bahrain Grand PrixCredit: GettyTheRed Bull Racing team principal was seen on his phone ahead of Practice 3 at the Bahrain International CircuitCredit: PAChristian Horner, left, speaks with Red Bull driver Max VerstappenCredit: APHorner pictured during the third free practice session at the Bahrain International CircuitCredit: RexHorner speaking to FIA president Mohammed bin SulayemCredit: AFP More

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      Mole close to Red Bull Racing camp ‘detonated Christian Horner sexting scandal to oust the F1 team boss’

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      A MOLE close to the Red Bull Racing camp allegedly detonated the Christian Horner sexting scandal in a bid to oust the F1 team boss, The Sun can reveal.Red Bull are investigating claims that an unknown player connected to the team orchestrated the WhatsApp leak and acted as a “puppet master”.A MOLE close to the Red Bull Racing camp allegedly detonated the Christian Horner sexting scandal, The Sun can revealCredit: PAThe anonymous release came a day after team principal Horner was cleared of sending improper texts to a female employee.Last night, an F1 insider told The Sun: “Rumours are swirling at Red Bull that there’s a mole in their ranks, someone who has it in for Christian.“The leak came as a shock. Someone has a vendetta against Christian.”That person acted like a puppet master.READ MORE CHRISTIAN HORNER“It seems to have been calculated to cause maximum damage to Christian’s career, humiliating him just 24 hours before the F1 season begins.“He believes someone set out to destroy him professionally and personally. “But the team stands firmly behind Christian and everyone’s working towards a common goal.”Qualifying for today’s Grand Prix went ahead at the Bahrain circuit yesterday.Most read in MotorsportMotor racing world in ‘disbelief’ at Christian Horner alleged leaked messages More

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      Geri Halliwell knew about female staffer before sexting scandal & approved of her working with Christian, insider says

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      GERI Halliwell was left “heartbroken and humiliated” after hundreds of sexts sent by hubby Christian Horner to a female employee were leaked.The Spice Girl, 51, touched down in Bahrain on Thursday night just as the bombshell messages began to spread around the globe.Geri Halliwell knew of the female employee at the centre of her husband Christian Horner’s texting scandalCredit: ShutterstockHorner was snapped at a practice session in Bahrain with driver Max Verstappen making preparations ahead of qualifyingCredit: APThe Sun has learned that Geri knew of the female employee at the centre of the texting scandalCredit: AFPShe is planning to be by the Red Bull F1 chief’s side on the pre-race grid for today’s Grand Prix in a public show of solidarity. But sources said last night she has been left “distraught and devastated” over the scandal, which Horner, 50, had repeatedly played down.The devastating trove of texts sent anonymously to F1 bosses and media outlets confirmed Horner did send inappropriate messages behind Geri’s back, despite being cleared in a Red Bull probe.A source close to the pop star, who was on a Bahrain-bound private jet when the messages emerged, told The Sun: “Geri is heartbroken and feels utterly humiliated. She trusted him when he tried to play down the scandal.“He always told her he’d done nothing wrong. This will really hurt Geri, who has put everything into their marriage.”READ MORE ON SEXTING SCANDALMeanwhile, The Sun has learned that Geri knew of the female employee at the centre of the texting scandal. A Red Bull insider said she even approved of the woman working in Horner’s team.Hauled in for crisis talksIt was also claimed yesterday that the employee was “unhappy” after the messages were leaked and believed the probe into his behaviour had been “one-sided”.A friend said: “We speak every day and she’s very unhappy – of course. In her way of thinking it’s all very one-sided and she has been crucified.”Horner was yesterday snapped at a practice session in Bahrain with driver Max Verstappen making preparations ahead of qualifying.Most read in MotorsportHe always told her he’d done nothing wrongSource close to GeriIt was reported that the Red Bull chief – who has won 13 world titles since heading the team as a 31-year-old in 2005 – had been hauled in for crisis talks with F1 bosses. The tension was palpable down in the paddock, with Red Bull team members avoiding mentioning the simmering scandal, other than the odd whisper.Horner was seen pacing from the hospitality area to the team’s garage, stopping only to check his phone and to sign autographs for waiting children.Christian Horner breaks silence on alleged leaksAn F1 source last night said that Red Bull workers fear there might be more leaked messages to come.The team boss refused to comment on the leaked WhatsApp sexts. Last night some of the grubby messages were reported, including a request for a “Santa PJ selfie”. He also regularly joked about Spanx, telling the woman she looks “attractive” in them.In another, Horner starts by asking: “Can I make a confession?” He then describes a trip on a private jet to Dubai where he claims that the woman got him “out of control”.Pesters woman for photosShe cuts him off by guessing that he had to nip to the bathroom.He confirms her suspicions and says he would have preferred it if she had been there with him. Horner also pesters the woman for photos. In another exchange, the pair have an innocent discussion about a photo for a travel document. Horner then writes: “You could send me a pic,” followed by a winky face emoji.At one point the female employee asked her boss how he would feel if Geri were to message someone in the way he was.I won’t comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate, I have always denied the allegationsChristian HornerHorner also repeatedly asks the woman — who works with him at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes HQ – to delete their chat history.The woman apparently grew tired of her boss’s pleas for pictures and sexy chat, according to the Whats- App dossier. The leak appeared to be in line with the original accusation over alleged “sexually suggestive” messages sent by Horner.It was later claimed that the internal inquiry into the team boss was into “controlling and coercive” behaviour towards the woman.On Thursday, after the messages were leaked, defiant Horner said in a statement: “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 co-operated 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.”There is no suggestion that pictures featuring sexual content are included in the leaked WhatApps.READ MORE SUN STORIESGeri, who married Horner in 2015, rocketed to fame in the 1990s with the Spice Girls, whose hits included Stop. She is expected to be with her husband today for the season’s opening race, alongside Thai billionaire Chalerm Yoovidhya, who owns 51 per cent of Red Bull.Red Bull Racing have declined to comment.The texts sent anonymously to F1 bosses and media outlets confirmed Horner did send inappropriate messages behind Geri’s back, despite being cleared in a Red Bull probeCredit: PAGeri, pictured with Horner on the grid at the Monaco GP, has not been spotted at the circuit in BahrainCredit: GettyThe defiant F1 chief has joined colleagues for the opening race of the seasonCredit: APHow Christian Horner’s shock texts were leakedBy Ben Hunt

      IT was an anonymous email sent and designed for maximum impact.
      It landed in my inbox almost 24 hours to the minute since Christian Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing following Red Bull’s internal investigation.
      Other names included Liberty Media chief Greg Maffei, who owns the rights to F1. The FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 CEO Stefano Dominacali.
      The F1 team bosses were also included for good measure. As was Max Verstappen’s father, Jos.
      It was from an anonymous sender, the title was simply the date – ‘Feb Twenty Nine’.
      Inside it was a Google Drive link containing 79 files claiming to be the evidence from the independent investigation.
      There is no way of knowing if they were real or fake yet irrespectively it sent another shockwave through the F1 paddock before this season had even started.
      Horner was sitting on the team’s pitwall during second practice in Bahrain when the email dropped.
      After the session, he walked out of the team’s garage and into the hospitality unit where he remained as the nuclear fallout began.
      He’d survived the outcome of the internal investigation into improper conduct following a complaint from a female colleague.
      One wonders whether he will survive this time after this very public humiliation – again, irrespective if they were indeed real or fake.
      Just hours earlier, McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, called on the sport’s governing body, the FIA, demanding transparency.
      “I just read the statement, which was pretty basic,” said Wolff. “My personal opinion is we can’t really look behind the curtain.
      “There is a lady in an organisation that has spoken to HR and said there was an issue and it was investigated and yesterday the sport has received the message that it’s all fine, we’ve looked at it.
      “I believe with the aspiration as a global sport, on such critical topics, it needs more transparency and I wonder what the sport’s position is?
      “We’re competitors, we’re a team and we can have our own personal opinions or not. But it’s more like a general reaction or action that we as a sport need to assess, what is right in that situation and what is wrong.
      “Are we talking with the right moral approach, with the values based on the speculation that is out there? As a sport, we cannot afford to leave things vague and opaque on critical topics like this, because this is going to catch us out.”
      Brown added: “It’s the responsibility ultimately of the organisers of Formula One, the owners of Formula One, to make sure that all the racing teams and the personnel and the drivers and everyone else involved in the sport are operating in a manner in which we all live by.
      “I don’t think it’s the teams’ roles and responsibilities. That’s up to FIA and Formula One to ultimately decide and ask what they feel gives them the level of transparency they need to ultimately come to their conclusion and we just have to count on them that they fulfil that obligation to all of us.”
      The emailed file will only increase that pressure in the form of scrutiny on Horner – who has always denied the accusations.
      It does also put Red Bull in a tricky position.
      Should the emailed file be legitimate and have made up elements from the initial report, which had been thoroughly examined and presented by the independent KC, then surely this is nothing new to them and their decision to stick with their team principal remains.
      To perform a u-turn on that simply now they have become public would possibly see criticism that they intended to keep their report private to save face.
      Whatever the outcome, it is a mess for the world champions.Reports of a wedge driven between Horner and Verstappen’s father have grown in recent weeks.
      So it was interesting that Jos Verstappen was in the paddock and wearing a team jacket and seemed unmoved to the chaos happening around him More

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      Christian Horner’s Red Bull off to flying start ahead of F1’s Bahrain Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton starts in 9th place

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN overcame off-track distractions to take pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix.Verstappen’s boss at Red Bull, Christian Horner, has been the centre of a smear campaign following an internal investigation over a complaint of inappropriate behaviour.Max Verstappen is on pole for the Bahrain GP this weekedCredit: GettyRed Bull’s latest win came after Christian Horner’s internal investigationCredit: GettyLewis Hamilton will start in ninth for his final season with MercedesCredit: APHorner, who has always denied the accusations, was cleared on Wednesday after the grievance against him was dismissed by the team’s owners Red Bull.However, he was launched back into the firing line on Thursday when an anonymous email was distributed to key paddock personnel claiming to be evidence from the report.The file contained images of WhatsApp exchanges which Horner refused to comment on.The bombshell threatened to disrupt their preparations for the new season however, Verstappen responded by taking the 33rd pole of his career ahead of Charles Leclerc and George Russell.READ MORE F1 NEWSThe world champion was congratulated by Horner over the team’s radio after fearing he had blown his chance at pole.As he crossed the line, Gianpiero Lambiase – Verstappen’s engineer – said: “It was enough Max, well done.”Verstappen replied: “I’m so sorry GP.”Horner then added: “Nothing to be sorry about Max. A very good start. Two tenths clear of Charles and three tenths clear of George.”Most read in MotorsportVerstappen, who was 0.228 seconds quicker than Leclerc’s Ferrari, added: “We did very well in that qualifying to get the most out of it. So thank you to everyone. Well done.”He later said: “It was a lot of fun. The track had a lot of grip but with the wind the last two days, it was tricky to get the whole lap together. It was the same in qualifying.Motor racing world in ‘disbelief’ at Christian Horner alleged leaked messagesBahrain Grand Prix qualifying resultsPOLE POSITION: MAX VERSTAPPEN

      2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
      3. George Russell (Mercedes)
      4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
      5. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
      6. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
      7. Lando Norris (McLaren)
      8. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
      9. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
      10. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)
      11. Yuki Tsunoda (RB)
      12. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
      13. Alex Albon (Williams)
      14. Daniel Ricciardo (RB)
      15. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
      16. Valtteri Bottas (Sauber)
      17. Zhou Guanyu (Sauber)
      18. Logan Sargeant (Williams)
      19. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
      20. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

      “To really get everything out of it in Q3 was a little more difficult but I’m very happy to be on pole.”It was a little bit unexpected but luckily in qualifying the car came to us and I felt a bit happier with the whole car.”The race is going to be close as well. We look good as well but we’ll see tomorrow. I’m confident we can have a strong race.”Russell who was third added: “Everybody at the factory has done an amazing job to give Lewis and in a car that we feel much happier with and a base we can build upon.”Ultimately, Max is still out there in front and we still have a lot of catching up to do.”When we look at our qualifying performances in the last two years in Bahrain, and the race pace, starting in P3 is a great place.”There’s been a huge amount of work. We have obviously made a big step forward in one lap pace and we hope we haven’t compromised the race pace.”I think it will be a close fight between everybody apart from Max.”Red Bull are so strong at the moment and Max is doing a great job. He’s got the new tyres. If there’s an opportunity to take the lead but ultimately the race for all of us is for second.READ MORE SUN STORIES”But, nobody knows, it’s the first race of the season, I’m so excited to be back and let’s hope for some craziness.”However, his teammate Lewis Hamilton was down in ninth place but 0.531 seconds behind Verstappen’s time in what is an incredibly close top 10. More

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      What is Max Verstappen’s net worth and who is the richest F1 driver?

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      FORMULA ONE racers put their lives on the line every time they jump behind the wheel – so it only makes sense that winners such as Max Verstappen earn large amounts.Red Bull earned a reported £110million following Max Verstappen’s dominant championship win during the 2023 campaign.Max Verstappen won 86% of the 2023 F1 racesCredit: GettyThe F1 icon won 19 of last year’s 22 races which meant that he finished first in 86 percent of the races – smashing Alberto Ascari’s 1952 record of 75 percent.And in doing so, Verstappen added a lot of first-place bonuses to his bank account. But just how much is the serial winner worth?What is Max Verstappen’s net worth?Max Verstappen has commanded the most lucrative F1 contract for the past two seasons when accounting bonuses which has taken his net worth up to approximately £165.5million.Read more on Max VerstappenThe four-time champion is an ambassador for EA Sports and has a host for personal sponsors, all of which helped him earn a place in Forbes’ 2023 list of sports top young earners.Verstappen, 26, also has a great affinity of cars, with his collection to be worth around £2.3m and the Dutchman has even invested in his own GT team.He resides in Monaco which says it all for the type of lifestyle he lives – not cheap at all.Reports suggest that Verstappen’s contract is worth around £43m a year with Red Bull.Most read in MotorsportMax Verstappen’s contract figures are staggeringCredit: GettyWho is the richest F1 driver?For all of Max Verstappen’s earnings, the 2023 F1 championship winner is surprisingly not the richest driver – Michael Schumacher is.An era-defining driver for many fans of motorsport, the seven-time F1 champion was named the highest-paid athlete by Forbes in 1999 and 2000 and even predicted to be the first billionaire athlete in 2005.In 2017, he was named as the fifth-highest athlete of all time in terms of career earnings, but he has not been seen publicly since his life-changing skiing accident in 2013.The German was well-known for his charitable donations, including a £39.5m donation to UNESCO during his final five years of racing.Predictably, Schumacher and his family have a worldwide real estate portfolio, while Schumacher also earned a staggering amount through brand endorsements, including a £8.5m deal to wear a shell hat and show its logo in nearly all public appearances.Here is the top 5:
      Michael Schumacher: £462.5m
      Lewis Hamilton: £224.7m
      Fernando Alonso: £205m
      Max Verstappen: £165.5m
      Kimi Raikkonen: £140.6m
      What is the F1 2024 calendar?Below is the entire race calendar for the F1 2024 season:🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

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      F1 legend Martin Brundle ‘very sad’ over Horner leaked messages and says ‘this is just the beginning’

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      FORMULA ONE legend Martin Brundle has weighed in on Christian Horner’s leaked messages.Red Bull chief Horner had a tranche of messages and photos that show details of private conversations between himself and an unknown female employee leaked online yesterday.Martin Burndle has had his say on Christian Horner’s leaked messagesCredit: RexHorner saw a slew of messages between himself and a female colleague leak yesterdayCredit: PAThe WhatsApp messages, which were sent to F1 teams and media outlets, were revealed just 24 hours after Horner was cleared of inappropriate behaviour following a three-week internal investigation.And the bombshell leak has left the F1 world in shock, including Sky Sports presenter and former driver Brundle.The 64-year-old was bringing viewers coverage ahead of this weekend’s season opener in Bahrain when he discussed the new developments.He said: “My personal take is that I am very sad about the whole thing, a lot of people are getting dragged into this.READ MORE ON HORNER”F1 is all over the front pages, all over the internet all around the world and it’s not about the racing, it is not about who is going to win this Grand Prix and who is going to be on pole position.”So I think it is unquestionable that it is not good for F1, what is going on, and I do believe that some actions need to be taken to move this along and to bring this to an absolute conclusion.”But as I have said, it feels to me like this is the beginning of the story rather than the end of it but we will have to wait and see.”We do know that all allegations have been denied, but it is just a horrible situation.”Most read in MotorsportHorner has already released a statement in which he seemingly labels the leaks as “anonymous speculation”.It read: “I won’t comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate, I have always denied the allegations.Christian Horner breaks silence on alleged leaks”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.”Horner’s marriage to Spice Girl Geri Haliwell is now said to be “in question” after she was left “extremely humiliated” by the latest developments.The Team Principal was in Bahrain when the messages leaked on Thursday – and he was pictured at training on Friday.He jetted to the Gulf kingdom on Wednesday before he was cleared of wrongdoing after being accused of inappropriate behaviour and sending improper messages.Geri meanwhile was back home in the UK, but is now understood to be in Bahrain to be with her husband.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

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      Five shock twists in Christian Horner ‘sext’ scandal from message leak, to Geri Halliwell’s fury & Red Bull ‘civil war’

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      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

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      Christian Horner’s sext leak happened while wife Geri was in mid-air on her way to be by husband’s side in Bahrain

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      GERI Halliwell was mid-air en route to Bahrain when hundreds of flirty messages husband Christian Horner sent to a female employee were leaked, it is understood.The Spice Girls star was flying to be by her Red Bull Racing chief husband’s side after she was left “relieved and elated” he had been cleared of wrongdoing.Geri, pictured at a Grand Prix in 2021, has flown to BahrainCredit: GettyEmbattled F1 chief Horner pictured todayCredit: PAThe couple pictured at the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco last yearCredit: GettyBut The Sun understands Geri, 51, had already taken off from the UK when hundreds of private WhatsApp messages were sent to F1 teams and media outlets.Friends of the couple now claim their marriage is “in question” as Geri reels from the latest bombshell.Defiant Horner was today seen trackside in Bahrain for a test run ahead of tomorrow’s F1 season opener before being pulled for a meeting with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.Geri has not yet been seen in the paddock, however.More on Christian HornerThe singer, who married Horner in 2015, was said to be “in floods of tears” when news of the investigation first emerged almost a month ago.Geri privately insisted he did nothing wrong, however.The Sun reported how Geri was being supported by her Spice Girl bandmates.More than a week after the probe was launched, she was pictured with Horner for a day at the races at Badbury Rings, Dorset.Most read in MotorsportBut later reports said the star was “mortified and angry” over the probe.Sources close to the singer said she was “relieved and elated” when the case against her Horner was thrown out on Wednesday.Christian & Geri Horner MansionsBut 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 Mail: “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.”It comes as…A trove of flirty private messages exchanged between Horner and a female colleague were sent to F1 teams and media outlets on Thursday as Geri flew from the UK to Bahrain.Messages appeared to suggest Horner pestered the woman for pictures behind his wife’s back.While there don’t appear to be any explicit images in the messages, some of the texts are sexually suggestive in nature.The move was also calculated to cause maximum damage to Red Bull Racing boss Horner’s career – just 24 hours before the start of the new Grand Prix season in Bahrain.After the messages were leaked yesterday, Horner again denied accusations made against him.He said: “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.”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.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe mega-leak appeared to be in line with the original accusation faced over alleged “sexually suggestive “ messages sent by Horner.There is no suggestion that any pictures featuring sexual content are included in the WhatApps leaked so far.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