Christian Horner latest: Geri appears on F1 grid in support of husband at Bahrain race after leaked messages

Bright and early, Christian Horner arrived at the paddock in Bahrain for the primary race of this season this afternoon, beginning at 3pm (GMT).

Notably, spouse Geri Halliwell was not current with him. But studies point out that the Spice Girl pop star was current on the grid in support of her husband this afternoon.

The staff principal, married to Spice Girl member Geri Horner who arrived in Bahrain late on Thursday, was cleared of “inappropriate behaviour” on Wednesday after a three-week inside probe performed by an exterior lawyer, following allegations from a feminine colleague which have been strongly refuted by Horner.

However, simply 24 hours later, WhatsApp texts and photos have been leaked from an nameless supply – to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, F1 chief government Stefano Domenicali, the game’s 9 different staff principals and members of the media – allegedly displaying conversations between Horner and the complainant. The Independent has seen the leaked materials, a Google Drive with 79 separate paperwork, however is unable to confirm the authenticity of the content material.

It can also be unclear presently whether or not the alleged exchanges fashioned half of the investigation or whether or not it’s new proof. The embattled Red Bull boss was current in the F1 paddock in Bahrain on Friday, as his star driver Max Verstappen took pole place for the race on Saturday.

Horner, 50, met with Ben Sulayem and Domenicali on Friday at the Bahrain circuit. It stays to be seen how F1 and the game’s governing physique deal with the matter in the following few days, after a saga which has overshadowed the primary race of the 2024 season.

Horner had some reward for these concerned in the design of the profitable RB20 automobile, which dominated from the outset at the primary race of the season in Bahrain.

The Red Bull staff principal stated to Sky Sports “You can see it’s an aggressive evolution and I believe the design staff, the entire have performed an exquisite, fantastic job and so they haven’t rested on their laurels, they’ve pushed onerous and so they’ve pushed the boundaries and you’ll see lots of progressive concepts on the automobile.

“It’s acquired the idea of 2019 in its DNA however it’s a powerful evolution.”

Christian Horner stated to Sky Sports: “Absolutely, an ideal begin, a really dominant latest and I’ve to say a giant thanks to all of the women and men again in Milton Keynes that this winter have labored so onerous and provide you with one other nice automobile and it’s testimony to that tough work that goes on behind the scenes.

“A fantastic staff efficiency to get that 1-2 end and most factors in the present day.”

Max Verstappen delivered for Christian Horner’s crisis-hit Red Bull staff by profitable the opening race of the Formula One season in Bahrain on Saturday.

The build-up to the primary spherical of the marketing campaign right here in the Gulf Kingdom has completely been overshadowed by allegations whirling round Red Bull staff principal Horner.

But Horner, who was joined by his spouse Geri in a present of unity forward of Saturday’s 57-lap race, can take momentary reduction from seeing Verstappen lead a Red Bull one-two, with Sergio Perez second.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz took the chequered flag in third, one place forward of team-mate Charles Leclerc with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton a disappointing fifth and seventh respectively for Mercedes. McLaren’s Lando Norris completed sixth.

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Max Verstappen wins the Bahrain Grand Prix!

A cruise as soon as once more for the reigning world champion!

He acquired off the road rapidly and has not appeared again! 25 factors and an additional level for the quickest lap – as he wins the primary race of the season by 22 seconds.

2. Sergio Perez (+22.508)

Here are some photographs of the Bahrain Grand Prix and Red Bull:

Christian Horner may need a state of affairs going on off the observe, however it has not had any impression on Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, who’re main the opening Grand Prix of the season.

Verstappen was the favorite heading into the race and has established a wholesome lead from the outset.

Here are some photographs of Geri:

Christian Horner and his spouse Geri Halliwell walked into the Bahrain Grand Prix paddock hand-in-hand on Saturday in a public present of unity after the Red Bull Formula One staff boss was cleared of allegations of misconduct in the direction of a feminine worker.

The 50-year-old Horner and former Spice Girls singer Halliwell appeared poised as they made their strategy to Red Bull’s hospitality space, the place they mingled with VIP friends in full view of photographers and tv cameras.

Their look collectively at the season-opening race got here after F1 media and key paddock figures acquired on Thursday an nameless electronic mail containing a Google Drive link to purported proof submitted to the investigation.