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Ginger Spice stands by embattled F1 boss husband

The couple held hands and smiled at the launch of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The couple held hands and smiled at the launch of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Photo: Getty

Former Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell has chosen to stand by her Formula One executive husband, recently cleared of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague.

An investigation into Red Bull team principal and CEO Christian Horner, which began in February and was run by the team’s parent company Red Bull GmbH, exonerated him of any wrongdoing last week.

“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 GmbH said in a statement.

“The ­complainant has a right of appeal. Red Bull is ­confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.”

The company said it would not comment further on the investigation in order to protect the private information of all parties involved.

Speaking to Sky Sports in Bahrain ahead of the launch of this year’s Formula One season, Horner said he was “pleased” the investigation was over, and could not comment further on it.

“I am here to focus on the Grand Prix and the season ahead and trying to defend both of our titles,” he said.

“I am pleased to be here in Bahrain, and with the team, focused on the season ahead. Within the team it [the unity] has never been stronger.”

Ginger Spice all smiles in Bahrain

Following the conclusion of the investigation, Halliwell joined her husband in Bahrain on Saturday and presented a united front.

The couple, who have been married since 2015, appeared upbeat and held hands as they arrived at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

While she had not made a public statement throughout Red Bull’s investigation into Horner, in private, Halliwell reportedly stood firmly behind her husband throughout the ordeal.

geri halliwell

The couple smooched in front of cameras. Photo: Getty

“This has been weeks of hell for Christian and his family,” a source told The Sun.

“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.

Messages leaked after investigation

The couple’s public appearance after the concluded investigation came days after an anonymous source leaked WhatsApp texts and pictures, allegedly showing conversations between Horner and the complainant.

The complainant had alleged “inappropriate, controlling behaviour” against Horner, which he denied.

In the messages, Horner allegedly requested selfies of his female colleague and asked her what she was wearing.

In one message, he allegedly asked the woman about her flexibility, writing, “might need to be slightly flexible … like you”, before telling her to “take a selfie” after she said she could get one of her legs behind her head.

Formula One bosses seek more clarity

While Red Bull appears keen to wrap up the issue, other teams have aired concerns that more needed to be done.

Mercedes team CEO Toto Wolff said more transparency was needed on such “dangerous topics”, and that the position of Red Bull’s leadership shouldn’t be as “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,” he said.

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said many rumours and questions remain, and suggested Formula One and the FIA (the governing body of racing events including Formula One) should provide some clarity.

“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,” he said.

“That they come to the same conclusion as Red Bull and they agree with the outcome.”

Topics: formula one
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