A string of texts allegedly sent by Christian Horner have been leaked after he was cleared by Formula 1 team Red Bull of sexually inappropriate behaviour.
The tranche of messages and photos are alleged to show details of private conversations between the F1 boss and an unknown person, reported The Sun.
Every practice, qualifying session and race from the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
The series of WhatsApp messages, which also mention Horner’s wife Geri Halliwell, were sent from an anonymous email to hundreds of journalists.
While there doesn’t appear to be any explicit images in the messages, some of the texts are sexually suggestive in nature.
The leak is another major blow for Red Bull as the messages were revealed just 24 hours after the three-week internal investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour was concluded.
In response to the leak, Horner released a statement that read: “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. I remain fully focused on the start of the season.”
The Red Bull Racing boss, 50, arrived smiling in Bahrain this morning for the F1 season opener - just two days before the first race of the season.
Horner, married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was told he could keep his post at Max Verstappen’s all-conquering Red Bull team yesterday.
And he told press today he was “pleased” that the investigation had come to an end.
Geri, who he married in 2015, was reportedly “relieved and elated” as her husband was cleared of any wrongdoing.
And the messages were leaked just hours after Geri was reportedly due to fly to Bahrain to join her husband.
The former popstar, 51, has stood firmly by his side throughout the three-week-long probe.
Horner has always vehemently denied allegations that he sent inappropriate messages to a woman at work.
He told Sky Sports today: “I’m just pleased that the process is over, I can’t comment about it.
“The focus is very much now on the Grand Prix and the season ahead and trying to defend both of our titles.
“I’m pleased to be here in Bahrain and with the team, focussed on the season ahead.
“The team has never been stronger.”
The F1 boss looked relaxed this morning as he arrived at the F1 paddock with chief technical officer, Adrian Newey.
He grinned as the team got to work at the Bahrain International Circuit and hugged star Max Verstappen as they greeted each other.
Red Bull Racing’s Austrian parent company yesterday confirmed the woman’s claims had been thrown out - and a statement was released just minutes after Horner landed in the Gulf kingdom.
It said: “Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed. 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.”
The team’s parent company confirmed the complainant, who is understood to still be working at the team’s Milton Keynes HQ, “has a right of appeal”.
But other team principals expressed doubt on Red Bull’s investigation as they called on more transparency amid calls for an FIA probe.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said: “There is a lady in the organisation who indicated that there was a problem, it was investigated and yesterday we all received the message that it was okay.
“I believe that a major sport needs more transparency on such dangerous topics.
“I wonder what the position of the leadership is. I don’t think it should remain vague as it is now.
“We are outsiders and, of course, we don’t know exactly what is going on.
“But, looking at just a statement, it doesn’t seem to me how things should go in today’s time.
“Although, in Formula 1, we may be in our own bubble and others are satisfied with that.”
And McLaren chief Zak Brown said: “There are still many rumours and also many questions.
“I think those who run this sport have a responsibility towards the entire sport and all our fans, to make it clear that everything has been clear and transparent for them.
“That they come to the same conclusion as Red Bull and they agree with the outcome.
“Until then, I think there will continue to be speculation and many unanswered questions about the whole process. That is not healthy for the sport.
“It is up to the FIA and Formula 1 whether they can clarify whether they have the clarity that is needed.”
A source close to Geri said she has been a “rock” for Christian but the last few weeks have been “hell” for the family.
“This has been weeks of hell for Christian and his family. As he has said all along, these claims are ‘nuts’,” they said.
“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.”
Geri was apparently devastated when the news broke earlier this month, left in “floods of tears” and turned to her fellow Spice Girls for support.
This story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission.
