F1 boss Christian Horner last night faced fresh allegations that he tried to pay a cash settlement to an employee who received “sexually suggestive” messages.
The 50-year-old Red Bull Racing boss – and husband of Spice Girls Geri Halliwell – is understood to have been investigated for alleged “controlling” behavior at work.
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F1 boss Christian Horner tried to pay compensation to an employee who received his sexy messages, it was claimed today
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50-year-old Red Bull Racing boss – and husband of Spice Girl Geri Halliwell Credit: Rex
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Red Bull will be hoping their car can win a third constructors’ title in a rowCredit: Reuters
But a Dutch newspaper, which claims to have seen the messages at the center of the investigation, claims they were “sexually oriented”.
And the shocking claims last night added to the heartache of pop star Geri, 51, who is said to have been “in tears” when the scandal first broke.
Last night Mr Horner was said to vehemently deny the allegations and was taking legal action against the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
Former racing driver Horner – who runs world champion Max Verstappen’s victorious Red Bull team – endured an eight-hour grilling last week.
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Red Bull’s Austrian parent company has sent an independent lawyer to the UK to investigate both the multi-millionaire racing ace and his accuser.
Team principal Horner has denied all allegations against him and was present at the launch of Red Bull’s RB20 2024 car on Thursday.
Neither he nor the woman were suspended and continued to work among the 1,500 staff at Red Bull Racing’s sprawling high-tech campus in Milton Keynes, Bucks.
But Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported that Horner allegedly sent sexual messages to the employee “over a long period of time”.
The messages were said to have been saved and presented as evidence to an outside lawyer leading the investigation after the woman complained last December.
De Telegraaf also claimed that Horner’s lawyers tried to settle the case with a payment – and that Red Bull senior management were aware of his offer.
Horner addressed the allegations against him publicly for the first time at the launch of the RB20 this week.
Christian Horner PASSED in top secret Red Bull test as he awaits decision in ‘inappropriate behaviour’ investigation
He said: “Inevitably there have been distractions but the team is very much together.
“Everyone is focused on the season ahead, so business has been normal and the support has been fantastic.
“In situations like this, you can see where the strengths are, and the support I had within the team was huge.
“The drivers were incredibly good, the partners, it was amazing.
“There have been some allegations that I completely deny, so the investigation is very much taking place in the background as we prepare for the season ahead and hopefully it will be concluded in the near future.”
F1 Insiders said after Horner was grilled last week that he was “not expected to survive his role” at Red Bull.
But another source told The Sun: “Christian has not been fired or asked to resign and he will not be resigning.”
Red Bull Racing declined to comment last night and the drinks company’s Austrian parent company did not respond to inquiries about the Dutch newspaper’s report.
The life and career of Christian Horner
CHRISTIAN Horner is one of the most famous names in Formula 1 because he helped build Red Bull into one of the biggest teams in the sport.
1973 – Born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
1991 – wins a Formula Renault scholarship after impressing in karting races
1993-1997 – Competed in a range of competitions including British Formula Three, British Formula Two and Formula 3000
1997 – Founded and developed F3000 team Arden
1999 – Retired from driving and continued to develop the Arden team
2005 – Appointed Red Bull team boss, becoming the youngest team manager at the time
2009 – Wins his first races as team principal with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber
2010 – wins Constructors’ Championship and Drivers’ Championship with Vettel – the first of four consecutive two-seaters
2013 – Has a daughter with ex-wife Beverly Allen shortly before the couple split
2014 – Gets engaged to Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell
2015 – Marries Halliwell in Woburn, Bedfordshire
2017 – Horner and Halliwell welcome their son
2021 – Wins another Drivers’ Championship title with Max Verstappen, overtaking Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the season
2022-23 – Red Bull wins the Drivers’ Championship and the Constructors’ Championship two years in a row
It comes after it was revealed that Geri has a strong group of friends she can turn to for support, including her former bandmate Victoria Beckham.
A close source said earlier this month: “Geri was in tears all weekend looking after her children.
“She insists Christian did nothing wrong.”
Geri allegedly relied heavily on former bandmate Victoria (49).
The two have been close since their Spice Girls days, and a source for OK! says: “They always got along well and were there for each other in difficult times.
“When Geri was in a tumultuous relationship with one of the Spice Girls, Victoria supported her and helped her survive.
“It’s the same now – Victoria wants to support Geri in any way she can.”
It helps that they live nearby – they both have luxury family homes in the Cotswolds.
Geri was also Victoria’s pillar of support when her husband David was accused of having an affair in 2003.
She was also a shoulder to cry on when David was sent off during the 1998 World Cup – which the footballer called the “toughest period” of his career.
The insider added: “Victoria and David had a really bad time together as a couple and Geri was right there with her.
“She never forgot how good Geri was with … David’s terrible treatment after the World Cup.
“Now she knows it’s her time to be with Geri and she wants to look after her and help her.”
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Horner was present at the launch of Red Bull’s RB20 2024 car on Thursday.Credit: YouTube
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World champion Verstappen, his teammate Perez and HornerCredit: Getty
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Geri’s friends, such as Victoria Beckham, are likely to rally to support her Credit: Getty
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