Text messages and photos allegedly sent by Red Bull boss Christian Horner to a female employee are LEAKED after he was cleared of misconduct ahead of Bahrain Grand Prix
Christian Horner’s profession in Formula One was plunged into contemporary disaster on Thursday night time when a tranche of WhatsApp exchanges allegedly between him and a shut female employee have been leaked.
The leak of 79 screenshots of messages and photos have been emailed to key figures within the sport ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The sender was nameless.
The bombshell leak comes a day after the 50-year-old husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell was cleared of ‘coercive behaviour’ in an inner inquiry performed by Red Bull’s dad or mum firm in Salzburg.
The Englishman was free to keep on as group principal of the world-championship successful group on a wage of £8million a yr.
The leak, containing a whole lot of WhatsApp messages, was sent to main F1 figures, together with FIA president Mohammad Ben Sulayem and F1 chief govt Stefano Domenicali. All the group principals have been additionally copied in, together with star driver Max Verstappen’s father Jos.
Christian Horner was cleared of ‘coercive behaviour in direction of female employee’ on Wednesday
Alleged textual content messages 50-year-old Horner sent to the female employee have been leaked
Red Bull launched the probe on Horner, husband of ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, on February 5
Throughout the probe, he had maintained his innocence and insisted he was going nowhere
Shortly after messages and images have been leaked, Horner launched a assertion which learn: ‘I cannot touch upon nameless hypothesis, however to reiterate I’ve all the time denied the allegations.
‘I revered the integrity of the impartial investigation and totally cooperated with it each step of the way in which.
‘It was a thorough and truthful investigation performed by an impartial specialist barrister, and it has concluded dismissing the grievance made.
‘I stay totally centered on the beginning of the season.’
The world champion group’s dad or mum firm Red Bull GmbH in Salzburg, who launched the probe on February 5, mentioned on Wednesday: ‘The impartial investigation into the allegations made towards Mr Horner is full, and Red Bull can verify that the grievance has been dismissed.
‘The complainant has a proper of enchantment. Red Bull is assured that the investigation has been truthful, rigorous and neutral.
‘The investigation report is confidential and accommodates the non-public data of the events and third events who assisted within the investigation, and, due to this fact, we won’t be commenting additional out of respect for all involved. Red Bull will proceed striving to meet the very best office requirements.’
Former popstar Geri (left) had been devastated by the jolt to their lives brought about by the claims
Horner broke his silence on the concluded investigation on Thursday morning as Red Bull equipped for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Horner advised Sky Sports on Thursday morning: ‘I’m simply happy that the method is over, I can not remark about it.
‘The focus could be very a lot now on the Grand Prix and the season ahead and to defend each of our titles.’
When requested if he felt this was the tip of the matter, the Red Bull chief replied: ‘I can not offer you any additional remark however the course of has been performed and concluded. I’m happy to be right here in Bahrain and look on to the season ahead.
‘The unity within the group has by no means been stronger.’
Horner, who remained silent all through the probe, has received 13 world championships since heading the group as a 31-year-old in 2005. He was then the youngest group principal on the grid, but is now its longest-serving.
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen was quizzed ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix over whether or not Red Bull’s probe into Horner had impacted or altered the group’s preparations for the season.
The Dutchman, insisting that his focus has not been altered, replied: ‘It would not. I’m very centered on simply the efficiency of the automotive and myself.
Horner embraces three-time champion Verstappen in Bahrain ahead of the 2024 curtain raiser
Max Verstappen urged that he and Red Bull had not altered their preparations through the probe
‘Hopefully it is going to be resolved very quickly. It’s a complete group effort that everybody has to stick collectively and work to extra success, in order that’s why it is necessary to get the whole lot resolved very quickly.
‘(Horner) is essential in any other case he would not have been in that place for such a very long time.’
Former Spice Girl sensation Geri, mom of their seven-year-old son Monty, stood resolutely by Horner all through the ordeal. She is alleged to be ‘devastated’ by the jolt the investigation has had on their lives.
It is known she might be a part of him in Bahrain to watch the beginning of the 2024 Formula One marketing campaign.
