Horner: Geri has been so supportive
F1 boss hails wife as accuser suspended
FORMULA One boss Christian Horner thanked wife Geri for her “phenomenal support”, after his accuser was suspended yesterday.
Spice Girl Geri, 51, has publicly backed the Red Bull team boss, who vehemently denies wrongdoing after claims that he sent inappropriate texts to a female colleague.
Red Bull’s board had dismissed the complaint after an investigation.
But the scandal took a new twist as it emerged the employee – based at the team’s HQ in Milton Keynes, Bucks – has been suspended on full pay.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, team principal Horner, 50, said yesterday: “The scrutiny on my marriage – I’ve got a beautiful family – it’s been very trying.
“When there [are] children involved, and family involved, it’s not pretty.
“My wife has been phenomenally supportive. The intrusion on my family is enough.”
He went on: “I think it’s time to draw a line under it and to focus on what is going on on track.” It is understood the member of staff, who is believed to have reported for work on Monday, has been suspended as a direct result of Red Bull’s inquiry.
The complainant is believed to have received a legal letter at the beginning of this week. She now has five working days to appeal over the outcome of the investigation, which has cast a shadow over Red Bull and the sport.
Geri went to Bahrain to publicly support her husband last weekend but it remains unclear whether she will fly to Saudi Arabia this weekend.
It’s understood she has been in touch with close pal Victoria Beckham as intensity around the allegations grew.
A Red Bull spokesman declined to discuss the worker’s suspension, saying: “The company cannot comment on this internal matter.”
The allegations emerged last month and Red Bull called in an independent lawyer to investigate.
After his report, Red Bull dismissed the complaint but gave no explanation for the decision and did not reveal what the report contained.
But barely 24 hours later, Whatsapp texts were leaked in an anonymous email, including messages purporting to involve Horner.
When pressed further about the case yesterday, Horner said: “This is confidential. I am not at liberty [to talk about it].
“We are all bound by the same restrictions. Even if I’d like to talk about it, I can’t. This has been trying in many
respects. The reality is that there was a grievance raised, it was dealt with in the most professional manner by the group, that appointed an independent KC, one of the most reputable in the land.
“He took time to investigate all the facts. He looked at everything and he came to a conclusion where he dismissed the grievance.
“As far as I’m concerned, as far as Red Bull is concerned, we move on.”
The latest development comes after Red Bull’s star driver Max Verstappen refused to rule out the prospect of joining Mercedes in 2025, following his father Jos’s strong words about the impact of the Horner saga on the team.
The three-time world champion, who coasted to victory in the opening race of the 2024 season in Bahrain, has a contract with Red Bull until 2028.