Geri Halliwell has demanded that her husband Christian Horner cut ties with the colleague he allegedly sent lewd messages to, sources claimed last night.
The former Spice Girl, who has so far stood by her beleaguered partner, is said to have imposed “strict ground rules” on the Red Bull boss after he was cleared of inappropriate behavior.
Halliwell, 51, is said to have “told her husband” before demonstrating unity with him in front of the cameras at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday, including kissing him, before Max Verstappen took victory for Red Bull.
Although Verstappen and Sergio Perez scored a sensational one-two in Bahrain, the spotlight remains on Horner, who is again facing calls to resign following the leaked text messages.
Horner, 50, was given permission to continue as Red Bull team boss on Wednesday following an internal investigation – but 24 hours later flirtatious text messages allegedly exchanged between him and the complainant were leaked to 149 Formula 1 figures.
Even though Ginger Spice stood by her husband in solidarity this weekend, insiders say the pop star wants the employee “out of the picture.”
Christian Horner and Geri Halliwell hold hands in a public show of unity at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday
The former Spice Girl celebrates with Horner after Red Bull scored a memorable one-two in Bahrain
Halliwell kisses her husband before the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon
A source told The Sun: “Despite smiling for the cameras at the Grand Prix, Geri has laid down some strict ground rules.”
“One of them is that Christian breaks off or reduces contact with the woman – but that is difficult because of her role at Red Bull.”
“And she definitely had her opinion about what messages he was sending. For obvious reasons, Geri wants the colleague she knew before her appointment to disappear from the scene as much as possible.
The source added that Red Bull could not fire the woman as there was no reason to do so.
An F1 insider also told the publication that Halliwell, who shares seven-year-old Monty with Horner, has shown her husband “nothing but support” but is unlikely to attend next weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix because she ” “I'm incredibly busy.”
Horner is being asked to give up his role and Verstappen's father Jos is accusing him of “driving the team apart”.
Verstappen Snr, who manages his world champion son Max, told Mail Sport in Bahrain: “There is tension here as he stays in position.” The team is in danger of being torn apart. Things cannot continue as they are. It will explode. “He plays the victim even though he’s the one causing the problems.”
In further comments to The Telegraph, he said: “It cannot continue like this.” “The situation is not good for the team and is driving people apart.”
But a Red Bull spokesman said: “There are no problems here.” “The team is united and we are focused on racing.”
Horner, meanwhile, has said he “absolutely” expects to remain in charge of Red Bull at next week’s Grand Prix.
Horner stands behind his wife as Red Bull celebrates first and second place in the first race of the season
Red Bull's Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen celebrates victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday
The Red Bull boss said at the start of the Formula 1 season that his “focus was on this team” and “my family”.
The Red Bull boss told Sky Sports he “wouldn’t be here otherwise” if he feared losing control of the F1 team.
He said: “We have tremendous support, great partners and great shareholders behind us.”
“You cannot achieve such a result if you are not united.”
Asked if he still expects to be in charge by the start of the race in Jeddah next week, he replied: “Yes, definitely. Otherwise I wouldn't be here.”
Before the race, Horner and his wife, to whom he has been married since 2015, were seen in a public display of unity.
Horner had slipped through a gate from the back of Red Bull's hospitality suite to meet her as she arrived at the main entrance to the paddock.
They then walked holding hands through the paddock to Red Bull's hospitality suite. During the short walk they were harassed by photographers and television crews.
The pair were all smiles at lunch when they were later joined by Red Bull's communications chief and former F1 team boss Flavio Briatore and Red Bull's majority shareholder and Horner ally, Thai billionaire Chalerm Yoovidhya.
Horner made his way to the starting grid about 45 minutes before the 3 p.m. start and gave Geri a kiss as she left.
Sources told The Sun that the former Spice Girls singer was “angry” with her husband but didn't “attack him.”
After they kissed on camera, Halliwell appeared to look directly at the photographers
Race winner Max Verstappen and Christian Horner celebrate after winning the F1 Grand Prix in Bahrain
Geri Halliwell celebrates in Bahrain after Red Bull secured a one-two finish after a difficult few weeks
Christian Horner was spotted chatting with former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson in Bahrain
Friends of Halliwell previously told the publication that she had “blamed him for rioting” over the situation.
Horner, who has always denied the claims, previously said: “I have the support of an incredible family, an incredible wife, an incredible team and everyone on that team.”
“And my focus is on racing, winning races and doing my best.”
“That day was about starting the season in the best possible way.” “My focus is on this team, my family, my wife and racing.”
The WhatsApp messages were sent from an anonymous email account to 149 members of the F1 paddock – including sports federation president Mohammed ben Sulayem, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali and the field's nine other team bosses, as well as members of the media.
The bombshell email contained 79 documents, including hundreds of messages, many of them sexual in nature.
Horner continues in his role as team principal and general manager, although it is clear that there is considerable unrest among the team's multitude of sponsors and partners.
He spoke only once about the latest allegations as he made his way from Red Bull's hospitality suite to the team's garage on Friday.
“I will not comment on anonymous speculation from unknown sources,” he said.
When asked what's next, Horner replied: “We're racing.”
Web has contacted Halliwell representatives for comment.