Christian Horner press conference RECAP: Red Bull boss speaks for the first time since his 'sex texts' accuser was suspended, as he breaks cover in Saudi without Geri Halliwell

The BBC have reported that the reason given by Red Bull to the employee who accused Christian Horner and has been suspended was that she had been 'dishonest'.

However Red Bull and team principal Horner have said in public that they can't comment on an internal matter.

A day after Red Bull dismissed the complaint last week, an anonymous email including messages allegedly involving Horner were leaked.

The 50-year-old last week refused to say whether the messages were genuine but has always denied the allegations of 'coercive behaviour'.

The unnamed employee as previously mentioned could still appeal the outcome of the inquiry.

With all the attention surrounding Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, it might be easy to forget that there's a race going on this weekend!

Max Verstappen's domination of the sport continued last weekend in Bahrain, and he has started this weekend off in strong style by finishing quickest in FP1 from Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso.

Team-mate Sergio Perez also showed solid pace in third. FP2 gets underway in about 30 minutes time.

Geri Halliwell has demanded that her husband cuts ties with the female colleague he is accused of sending racy messages to, sources have claimed.

The former Spice Girl, who has stood by her beleaguered partner resolutely so far, is said to have laid down 'strict ground rules' for the Red Bull boss after he was cleared of inappropriate behaviour.

Halliwell, 51, is said to have 'read her husband the riot act' before putting on a show of unity with him in front of the cameras at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday, including kissing him beforeMax Verstappen claimed victory for Red Bull.

What is important to note is that while Horner was cleared of the allegations and the female colleague who accused the Red Bull team principal of 'coercive behaviour' was suspended, she can still appeal the outcome of the inquiry.

The window to do so extends five days from when the official legal letters were served to both parties, which is believed to have been on either Monday or Tuesday of this week.

So it's a matter which could still drag on depending on what happens next.

Christian Horner in his press conference also said that he's 'fortunate to have a very supportive wife' in Geri Halliwell.

He said;

I'm married and have three children.

And when that intrusion includes your children and the scrutiny that is placed upon your marriage.

I'm very fortunate that I have a beautiful family and very supportive wife.  Of course, It's very trying, it's very challenging.

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So some interesting stuff thrown up by Christian Horner during his press conference this afternoon.

So far the big talking points are;

• He says it's time to draw the line under the matter and move on, insisting the case was investigated and dismissed and 'now it's time to move on'
• The team principal has 'no doubt' that Verstappen will committ to his Red Bull contract which expires in 2028, amid rumours that the triple world champion will leave the team
• He was asked whether Jos has too much involvement, which he said he wouldn't talk about relationships between drivers and their parents
• Said that he couldn't comment after reports today that the female colleague who accused him of coercive behaviour has been suspended
• Admitted that it has been a 'trying' time for his family
• And he also said that other people had been 'appearing to try and take advantage' of his current situation

When asked if Horner can give any more information down the line to explain the full story, he said;

It's a complicated issue because each company would say the same there is a grievance process that takes place in any company which is confidential between the individuals and the company itself.

I'm not at liberty because of that confidentiality and out of respect for the company and that other party that we are all bound by the same restrictions and even if I would like to talk about it I can't.

The only reason this has received so much attention is the leakage in the media which has been very trying in many respects particularly for my family as it has been in one direction.'

I'm not going to air all of the discussions that are private between the parties. Discussions have inevitably been had and the team are focused on the challenges ahead of us and the season ahead.

Whilst we 've had a very dominant race in Bahrain, we don't expect that to be the case in future races. We are acutely aware of our competitors.'

Horner has accused people of trying to 'take advantage' of the situation in his press conference while also admitting it has been a 'trying' time for his family.

It has been very trying for my family and what has happened after that others have appeared to take advantage of it.

F1 is a competitive business and there's been obviously elements to benefit from it and that's the not so pretty side of our industry.

There's always lessons but there's always processes. It's not an F1 issue, it's not an FIA issue, it's a company issue and that would be the same in any major organisation.

I'm afraid I can't comment on anything that's confidential between the employee and the company so I can't offer you anything on that.'

When asked if he regrets the potential reputational damage the episode has had on the team and their sponsors, Horner said;

Obviously there's been an awful lot of coverage surrounding this. But we have to go back to the basis, the grievance was raised it was fully investigated and it was dismissed and from there we move onwards.

An awful lot has been made out about this. It's been of great interest in different elements of the media for different reasons.

I think it's time to draw a line under it. We are here to go racing. We are here as a F1 team and now to focus on what's going on track and the drivers and performances of the cars - where the spotlight should be.'

When asked if Jos Verstappen has too much involvement in the situation, the Red Bull team principal said;

Obviously Max's father has played a key role in his career and getting him to F1. But Jos is his own man, Max is his own man and we've seen him go from being a teenager to when he joined us to now a young man that has achieved what he has.

It's not for me to communicate about relationships between fathers and drivers. They are all unique individuals.'

Christian Horner is now speaking at his press conference and has been asked about the future of Max Verstappen and whether he will remain at Red Bull next season.

I have no doubt that he will he's got a great team around him a great faith in that team and we have achieved an awful lot together.

He's committed to an agreement until 2028 and from a team side and Max's side we are keen to build on the success we have we have built already.

His 55 victories have all come in Red Bull cars, all the podiums too. We are determined to build on that and add many more in the future.

The six-time F1 race winner and younger brother of Michael Schumacher has today commented that Max Verstappen will leave Red Bull if Christian Horner stays.

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Christian Horner and Geri Halliwell put on a united front at the Bahrain Grand Prix after the alleged texts between the Red Bull team principal and his accusor were leaked.

They were seen together in the paddock on numerous occasions, including the podium ceremony to celebrate a 1-2 victory for the team, while a picture caught them kissing in the Red Bull garage.

This weekend, however, the former Spice Girl is not in town for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Also not in attendance, is Max Verstappen's father Jos - something Horner will surely be pleased about given their current tensions.

Lewis Hamilton in his own press conference with the media regused to rule out a Mercedes move for Max Verstappen - however unlikely it mauy sound.

Verstappen is contracted at Red Bull until 2028, but his old adversary says that his own move to Ferrari proves that 'anything is possible.

I don't have an extra scoop. I know that... I'm sure Max is on the list, but I'm pretty sure he's tied up, and also, I couldn't see why you would leave a car that is that good.'

Well if Max has to choose between his father or his beleaguered team principal, then there's only ever going to be one choice.

And on Thursday, the Dutch star defended his dad following his comments over Horner last week.

When asked if his father regretted his comments, Verstappen said his dad is 'not a liar'.

'I have not asked him that but my dad, from how I know him in ­go‑­karting, is very outspoken and he is not a liar, that is for sure. My dad and I are very close. We call every day.'

Horner's case has appeared to drive a bigger wedge between the Red Bull team principal and Jos Verstappen - the father of triple world champion Max.

Jos last week exclusively told Mail Sport that Red Bull would 'explode' if Horner kept his role at the team.

Max has been with Red Bull - including his days as a junior driver before Formula One - since August 2014.

And he has built a strong relationship with Horner since driving for the senior team since the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.

Max has been caught in the middle of a spat between two of the most influential people in his career and now there have been reports that he could replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.

Horner surely will be asked about his star driver when he speaks to the press this afternoon.

So more on that big update from today.

The female member of staff who accused the Red Bull team principal of 'coercive behaviour' has been suspended by the team.

Horner was cleared of the allegations in an internal enquiry conducted by the team's parent company in Salzburg last Wednesday.

Just one day later messages were leaked which were allegedly between Horner and his accusor.

The unnamed employee was still in work as of late last week.

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Well what a week it has been in Formula One. For what last weekend was the start of the new season the big talking points somehow still seem to be what's going on off the track rather than on it.

In particularly the future of Christian Horner at Red Bull is still the major talking point.

His accusor has been suspended by Red Bull and Mail Sport understands the decision is a direct result of the findings of the investigation.

Christian Horner will be speaking this afternoon so we will be bringing you all he has to say.