Geri Halliwell is having “crisis talks” over Christian Horner's leaked text messages and did not want to meet her husband in Bahrain until she was persuaded by his family, sources claimed last night.
The former Spice Girl, 51, and her husband, 50, collectively breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday when Red Bull acquitted Horner of allegations of inappropriate behavior by a female employee.
But 24 hours later, flirtatious WhatsApp messages apparently exchanged between Horner and the complainant were leaked to 149 Formula One drivers while Halliwell was flying to visit her husband ahead of this weekend's season opener in Bahrain.
Halliwell, who married the Red Bull team boss in 2015, suffered a “meltdown” when she landed in the Gulf state on a private jet on Thursday and found the bombshell messages plastered all over social media.
Friends of the star, who apparently knew about and approved of the woman who works for her husband's team, told Mail+ they were “deeply concerned” for her and said the singer appeared “fragile” when they introduced her saw for a few weeks.
A source told The Mirror last night: “Geri has been involved in crisis talks with her team this week about how she will deal with all of this.” While Horner is said to have “played down” the drama to his wife, “she can't bear it.” that everything is now becoming public.”
The source said Halliwell, who shares seven-year-old son Monty with Horner, felt “like an idiot” and added: “It's really taken a toll on her and she told her friends this week that she wouldn't be in Bahrain. “
It is understood the singer insisted on not meeting her husband, but Horner's mother has asked her to publicly support him as a show of solidarity.
Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and Red Bull boss Christian Horner are pictured at the Baftas in February last year
Friends of Halliwell (pictured at Wimbledon 2019) say they are “deeply concerned” for the former Spice Girl and that she appeared “fragile” when they saw her a few weeks ago
Spice Girl Halliwell and Horner are pictured on their wedding day in Woburn on May 15, 2015
It is understood the singer was adamant about not meeting her husband, but Horner's mother Sara (pictured with the couple) has asked her to publicly support him to show her solidarity
In stark contrast, her own team is said to have asked her to keep her distance, fearing that her brand and reputation could be damaged. The source claimed that Halliwell was “torn” between both camps.
The Sun reports that Halliwell knew about the employee at the center of the drama, and Red Bull insiders claimed she even approved of the woman who worked for her husband's team.
A source close to the Spice Girl told the newspaper this was “a humiliation of international proportions”. They said: “Of course, leaving Christian – and parting ways with the blissful life they've built for themselves – would be the ultimate act of girl power.”
“But as anyone who has children knows – let alone a hinterland full of love and connection – that’s easier said than done.”
It is also reported that Halliwell has parted ways with the Spice Girls, who were due to reunite soon to discuss tour dates for a comeback.
The girl band, sans Victoria Beckham, were due to celebrate their 30th anniversary with a few shows this year, but sources say that is now unlikely.
A Formula One source also said Red Bull staff fear there could be more leaked news that will cast a shadow over world champion Max Verstappen's attempt to win the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Geri Halliwell and her husband Christian Horner are pictured together in Las Vegas last November
Horner was given the go-ahead to continue as Red Bull team principal on Wednesday and was photographed in Bahrain on Thursday
Geri Halliwell has not yet been pictured in the paddock in Bahrain. Here she is seen at Silverstone last July
Horner has vowed to fight and is now preparing for tomorrow's Bahrain GP
The drama is believed to have put the couple's marriage “in question for the first time”.
Halliwell has not been seen in the paddock since his arrival in Bahrain – where Red Bull's Verstappen tried to take Horner out of the spotlight by taking pole position in qualifying.
The world champion was 0.228 seconds faster than Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in second place, while Mercedes' George Russell was third and his teammate Lewis Hamilton had to settle for ninth.
From the looks of it, Halliwell plans to attend today's Grand Prix as a public show of solidarity.
The plan calls for her to be at Horner's side before the race, along with his key ally on the Red Bull board, Thai billionaire Chalerm Yoovidhya, who owns 51 percent of the energy drinks company.
An insider told Mail Sport ahead of the GP: “You [Halliwell] started before the email landed. I don't know if she will enter the race, but if she does there will be chaos.
“It would be crazy. Maybe she'll even fly home.”
When she arrived, her husband was pulled from the pit wall to meet with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Christian Horner pictured on Thursday before a practice session at the Bahrain International Circuit
Horner and Geri Halliwell at Larkhill Royal Artillery Point to Point
The Red Bull boss, seen on Thursday, is back in the spotlight after text messages allegedly exchanged between him and a female employee were leaked
The pair breathed a collective sigh of relief on Wednesday when Red Bull cleared Horner of allegations of misconduct and inappropriate behavior following an investigation into his alleged relationship with the employee.
But the complainant hit back on Thursday when a source close to her told Web she was “very unhappy” with Red Bull's decision to clear the F1 boss.
A relative of the employee said: “My reaction to all this is that it's disgusting.” In the words of Red Bull: Christian Horner was acquitted, but I think a lot of people look at that answer and can Can't fully fathom the truth behind it.
“There will obviously be no peace now because of these leaks.” I was not aware of the news before it was picked up by the media and I have absolutely no idea who is responsible for the leak.
“You always believe in your own, don’t you? I haven't read the text messages, but there was never a relationship between her and Christian – God no. She doesn't discuss such things with us.
“When you work for a person like him, you have to live with a lot of information that can't be revealed. “She certainly didn't talk to me about it.”
The source continued: “We talk every day and of course she is very unhappy.” In her opinion, this is all very one-sided and she was crucified.
“Are Red Bull’s investigative teams independent?” Who knows? They made comparisons in the newspapers about Christian being grilled for about 12 hours… Well, how many hours was she grilled? You don't ask that question, but it's much more than that.'
On Thursday, a series of WhatsApp texts and photos were released to dozens of journalists and key figures in the sport, putting the allegations back in the public spotlight.
Horner has vowed to keep fighting and was pictured in his Red Bull gear ahead of practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix yesterday.
Friends close to Halliwell, who had steadfastly stood by her husband for nine years throughout the internal investigation, revealed that she “had the mental breakdown to put an end to all the unrest over the leaks”.
Friends close to the Spice Girl said she was “having the biggest nervous breakdown” over the leaks
Horner and Halliwell in a holiday photo taken on an unknown beach over Christmas
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner and Spice Girl Geri Halliwell pose after the F1 Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo di Monza on September 7, 2014
The couple tied the knot in a star-studded ceremony at St. Mary's Church in Woburn in 2015
Miss Halliwell threw a surprise party for her husband Horner's 50th birthday in December last year
The mother-of-two felt “humiliated” after the messages were spread “so far out,” a friend added.
Hundreds of confidential WhatsApp exchanges allegedly between Horner and the colleague were published via an anonymous email account.
Horner was only cleared by Red Bull's Salzburg-based parent company 24 hours before the text message was published – and was told he could remain as World Championship team boss on an annual salary of £8 million.
HORNER PROBE SCHEDULE
February 5 – Red Bull Racing's parent company, GmbH, confirms that Horner is being investigated over allegations of “inappropriate behavior.” The company says it “takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as quickly as possible.”
February 9 – Horner is questioned by a lawyer for eight hours at a secret location in London. There is no immediate solution.
February 15th – Horner appears at the Red Bull car presentation – his first public appearance since the allegations became known. He promises to be at the first race of the season in his role as Red Bull team boss and says: “Everything is going as usual for me.”
February 18 – Formula One makes its first public comment on the matter, calling for Horner's future to be “clarified as quickly as possible”.
February 20th – Despite the ongoing investigation, Horner flies to Bahrain for three days of testing before the new season.
February 21 – Horner takes his place on the Red Bull pit wall for the opening day of testing. Rival Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is calling for transparency in Red Bull's investigation, saying the controversy is “a problem for the entire Formula 1.”
February 22 – Horner appears in a press conference alongside four other F1 team bosses. He refuses to comment on the investigation but says: “Everyone wants to reach a conclusion as quickly as possible.”
Feb.23 – Red Bull's three-time world champion Max Verstappen says “it will be nice for everyone” as the investigation into Horner concludes. After completing the test, Horner returns to England.
February 28 – Red Bull GmbH announces that “the independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr. Horner has been completed and Red Bull can confirm that the complaint has been dismissed,” clearing Horner to remain in his position.
February 29 – Text messages and photos that Horner allegedly sent to a female employee are leaked, just hours after the Red Bull boss broke his silence on the investigation.
Halliwell had told friends she was “relieved and delighted” that claims against her partner, with whom she shares seven-year-old son Monty, had finally been dropped.
Friends of the Spice Girl told the Mail they believe the drama is “finally over” but warned the emergence of the intimate messages – which have 79 screenshots – could “destroy” her.
One said: “Christian promised all along there was nothing in it.”
Another said he now fears how the star, embarrassed by the embarrassing row, could comprehend such public humiliation.
He said: “Geri has been living in this happy, happy bubble for so many years, she thought she had her prince and her knight in shining armor, but now this.”
“She thought it was all gone, she was elated and overjoyed when she found out Christian had been acquitted.”
“Geri was pilloried when she got together with Christian because he had just had another baby with another woman, but she has worked hard to shed that image of herself and Christian, and especially of her being a housewife is.”
“Now everything has collapsed. The tears stopped when the verdict was announced on Wednesday, but they will definitely have started again now.
“This will destroy it.” Christian promised all along that there was nothing in it.'
A source close to the star said that throughout the saga she was “not sure what to believe” but was determined to get through the marriage unscathed.
“Geri isn't a Pisces woman, but she's finally found the man she wanted and she won't want to let him go.” “This could be a big dilemma for her,” the source said.
The messages were sent to FIA President Mohammad Ben Sulayem and F1 boss Stefano Domenicali. All team bosses were copied, along with Jos, the father of star driver Max Verstappen.
Earlier this month, Halliwell briefly unfollowed world champion Verstappen on Instagram after the allegations against Horner first came to light. Sources close to the star said on Thursday evening that it was an “emotional reaction” that they believed would go unnoticed.
Reigning world champion Verstappen was asked ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix whether Red Bull's investigation into Horner had influenced or changed the team's preparations for the season.
The Dutchman insisted his focus hasn't changed, replying: “It doesn't.” I'm very focused on the performance of the car and myself.
“Hopefully it will be resolved very soon.” It is a team effort where everyone has to stick together and work for greater success. That's why it's important to resolve everything as quickly as possible.
“(Horner) is very important, otherwise he wouldn’t have been in this position for so long.”
The intense attention that had thrust Horner into the spotlight in recent weeks had already begun to put a strain on the couple's private life – which they split between their farmhouse and stables in Oxfordshire and a house in north London.
A source close to the couple said the last few weeks had been “hell for Christian and his family” and he had always dismissed the claims as “crazy”.
“Geri is devastated and is having difficulty eating and sleeping. “Her family and fellow Spice Girls are worried about her,” the source said last week before Horner was released.
“I heard that Christian is trying to encourage her to stay positive, but she's stayed down in the same way she did after she left the Spice Girls. 'She doesn't talk to anyone.'
Shortly after the revelation, Horner released a statement saying, “I will not comment on anonymous speculation, but I want to reiterate: I have always denied the allegations.”
“I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and cooperated fully with it every step of the way.”
“It was a thorough and fair investigation, carried out by an independent attorney, which concluded that the complaint filed was dismissed.” “I remain fully focused on the start of the season.”
The news comes a day after Horner was told he would be cleared by a Red Bull investigation into his conduct
The Spice Girls star said she was “really grateful” to have Christian Horner as her “best friend”.
Horner and Halliwell meet then-Prince Charles at a Prince's Trust event in London in 2019
The company announced its conclusion on Wednesday, saying: “The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner has been completed and Red Bull can confirm that the complaint has been dismissed.”
The complainant has the right to lodge a complaint. Red Bull is confident that the investigation was fair, rigorous and impartial. '
Horner, who has won 13 World Cups since taking charge of the team as a 31-year-old in 2005, had previously thanked his “very supportive wife” for her support during the allegations.
Halliwell and Horner moved in social circles before striking up a romance after first meeting at the 2009 Monaco Grand Prix.
'[Geri] was a guest at [former CEO of the Formula One Group] “Bernie Ecclestone has been in Monaco for a year and came out of the pitlane,” Horner previously told The Telegraph. 'I remember [McLaren boss] Ron Dennis was standing next to me and Eddie Jordan was there too.
“She gave Ron a kiss on the cheek and she gave Eddie a kiss on the cheek.” So I was like, “Okay, I'm ready for a kiss on the cheek!” And I went to give her one and she extended her hand to me.'
However, their relationship got off to a rocky start and came under fire after the Red Bull boss left his long-term partner Beverley Allen six months after the birth of their daughter Olivia.
While the couple took a brief break to see if Horner could salvage his relationship with the mother of his child, he announced his engagement to Ginger Spice just nine months later in a 2014 Times ad.
Christian Horner pictured with Prince Harry before the Texas Grand Prix in October last year
Ginger Spice and Horner are pictured at the world premiere of The Moonwalkers last December
Christian and Geri's relationship came under fire after the Formula 1 boss left his long-term partner Beverley Allen (pictured) six months after the birth of their daughter Olivia
Halliwell and Horner attend the gala dinner for the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco on May 28, 2023
It said: “The engagement is announced between Christian, son of Mr and Mrs GM Horner, and Geraldine, daughter of the late Mr LF Halliwell and Mrs A Parkinson.”
The former Spice Girl and Red Bull boss tied the knot at St Mary's Church in Woburn, Bedfordshire, in 2015.
Halliwell's A-line lace wedding dress was designed by British designer Phillipa Lepley.
Her nine-year-old daughter Bluebell, whom she had with screenwriter Sacha Gervasi in 2005, was also at the wedding.
Guests included Geri's former “Spice Girls” colleague Emma Bunton, radio presenter and singer Myleene Klass and television presenter Amanda Holden.
Christian's parents were reportedly devastated when the sports professional left Ms Allen to be with the top star and therefore chose not to see the duo tie the knot.
A source close to the couple previously said: “Geri and Christian are disappointed that his parents are not coming.”
Horner has won 13 World Championships since leading the team in 2005 as a 31-year-old. At that time he was the youngest team boss in the starting field, today he is the longest-serving.