Geri ‘devastated’ but standing by F1 boss husband
Red Bull’s Horner: Woman’s claims are ‘nuts’
GERI Halliwell was said to be “in floods of tears” and devastated last night after allegations of inappropriate behaviour were levelled at her husband Christian Horner.
The Red Bull F1 team boss is the subject of an internal investigation after accusations by a staff member.
Horner, 50, vehemently denies the claims which he described as “nuts” and his ex-Spice Girl wife Geri, 51, is said to be determined to support him.
A friend of the former pop star said: “Geri has been in floods of tears all weekend while looking after her kids.
“She is insisting Christian has done nothing wrong.”
Investigation
Horner faces claims of “incredibly controlling behaviour” by a female colleague at the motorsports team.
Red Bull Austria, the energy drinks firm which owns the F1 outfit, said an investigation was under way.
A statement said: “After becoming aware of recent allegations, the company initiated an independent investigation. This investigation, which is already under way, is being carried out by an external specialised lawyer.
“The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be complete as soon as practicable. It would not be appropriate to make any further comments at this time.”
Confirmation of the probe came after 36 hours of denials from the Milton Keynes-based team of any wrongdoing.
Associates of Horner claim he is the victim of an internal fight within the broader Red Bull empire. They allege he has been exposed to a power struggle following the death at 79 of Red Bull’s joint-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, in October 2022.
Horner’s defenders say that the accusations are smears aimed at unseating him in an attempt to wrest control to Salzburg, the home of the drinks company.
Under former driver Horner’s guidance, Red Bull has become the dominant force in F1 racing with Max Verstappen winning the last three titles. Team principal Horner has run the Red Bull set-up since its entry into F1 in 2005.
He won four consecutive championships with Sebastian Vettel behind the wheel before the successes with Verstappen, adding to a total of 13 world titles.
Red Bull are due to launch their latest car on February 15 and the new F1 season starts in Bahrain on March 2.
Horner and Halliwell married in 2015 and they have one child together, Monty, seven.
She has a daughter Bluebell, 17, by film director and screenwriter Sacha Gervasi and is also step-mother to Horner’s daughter Olivia, 10.