How Geri Halliwell has been Christian Horner's 'rock': Spice Girl 'refused to stay away from Saudi Grand Prix because it would have sent the wrong message' - but 'sexting' scandal 'has been tough on her'
Geri Halliwell has been a 'rock' for her embattled husband Christian Horner and refused to stay away from the Saudi Grand Prix because it would have sent the wrong message, sources claimed last night.
The former Spice Girl, 51, staged another public show of unity with her Red Bull boss husband Horner, 50, as she watched his team charge to victory with another one-two finish in Jeddah yesterday.
Although Horner and Halliwell were seen cosying up again in front of the cameras, insiders claim that the leaked texts scandal 'has been tough on her'.
Horner was cleared following an internal probe after a female Red Bull colleague accused him of inappropriate behaviour last month . But 24 hours later, racy WhatsApp messages apparently exchanged between the pair were leaked to 149 F1 figures.
Earlier this week, Horner's accuser was suspended on full pay as a direct result of Red Bull's inquiry because she was reportedly 'dishonest' when giving evidence.
As the spotlight continues to glare on Horner and Halliwell, a source close to the couple told The Sun: 'It's been tough but Geri has been a rock for Christian through all this and he has spoken out about how much that means to him.
Geri Halliwell and her beleaguered husband Christian Horner are pictured at Saturday's Saudi Grand Prix
Horner is seen holding Halliwell closely in Jeddah as Red Bull cruised to another one-two victory
'There was no question of her staying away from Saudi - that would have sent entirely the wrong message.'
Halliwell, who shares seven-year-old Monty with Horner, also supported her husband in Bahrain last week for the season opener, which came just days after the texts were leaked.
The couple were seen kissing on camera and embracing one another when Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez secured a one-two victory. The drivers continued their fine form by doing the exact same in Saudi Arabia yesterday.
While Verstappen is flying on the track, rumours continue to swirl over his future at Red Bull amid a problematic recent period off the track.
MailOnline revealed this week that the woman who made the complaint about Horner has the backing of former Grand Prix ace Jos Verstappen, 52, who is the father of current world champion Max.
Speaking while taking part in the Hannut Rally in Belgium, he said: 'I sympathise with the woman, with all that she went through, but we will see what happens.'
When asked if it was time to 'draw a line' under the situation, as Horner said at his press conference in Saudi Arabia ahead of this weekend's race, Verstappen snr was dismissive.
He said: 'I think it's a bit too late for that now. If that's what he wants, fine, but I don't think it will be possible. I don't want to talk too much more as it will create problems.
Geri Halliwell pictured arriving at the Saudi Grand Prix to show support for her husband Christian Horner over the 'sex texts' scandal
Halliwell was pictured smiling and chatting with her embattled husband Christian Horner in the paddock prior to the race
The couple appeared to be in good spirits and comfortable around each other
Christian Horner talks with Geri Halliwell and Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing reserve driver from New Zealand, prior to the F1 Grand Prix
Horner was also seen speaking with Saudi Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal ahead of the second race of the F1 season today
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez celebrate a one-two finish in Saudi Arabia on Saturday
Race winner Max Verstappen celebrates winning another Grand Prix in Jeddah on Saturday
Horner and Halliwell attend the podium ceremony as Red Bull continue to perform on the track
'But the most important thing for me is that Max is happy, that's what counts for me, I just want him to be happy.'
Verstappen snr had previously told the Mail in Bahrain that Red Bull was 'in danger of being torn apart' and 'will explode'.
Red Bull's star driver's future was cast into doubt when he stated that Helmut Marko 'has to stay' at the team amid reports that the 80-year-old was going to be suspended from his role as motorsport advisor.
It is understood the latest commotion relates to accusations he leaked incriminating evidence against Horner, which Marko denies.
Horner told Sky Sports F1 yesterday: 'There are rumblings and I'm aware of what's been said.
'Max is an important part of this team. He's our driver and is doing a good job and as team principal and CEO I'm responsible for the running and operation of this team
'Everyone has to do their part. Max is doing their part and everyone else is doing their job.'
Horner talks with Jos Verstappen prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on February 29
Geri Halliwell also accompanied Horner on race day last week in a defiant show of support for her embattled husband
The couple looked in good spirits throughout the day and shared several kisses on a successful day on the track for the team
The couple celebrated with an awkward looking hug after Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday
Geri talks with Jos Verstappen in the garage after Max Verstappen wins the Bahrain GP
Horner also faced reporters in a press conference on Thursday ahead of Saturday's race and admitted that the scandal had taken its toll on his family, while fending off questions on the woman at the centre of it.
He also said his wife had been 'hugely supportive' but admitted the scandal had been 'very trying' on his family.
'It's obviously been a very trying period,' 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. When there's children involved, parents, families, it's not pretty.'
He added that the grievance had been 'dealt with in the most professional manner' by Red Bull's parent company GmbH, which had appointed one of the top 'KCs in the land'.
'He interviewed all of the people involved, as well as others of interest. He looked at everything and he came to the conclusion where he dismissed the grievance.
'As far as I am concerned, and as far as Red Bull are concerned, we moved on and we look to the future. The time now is to draw a line under it.'
Referring to the messages sent last week, he said: 'I think there's been an awful lot of leakage around this in what is a private and confidential matter between the employees and company.'
But he refused to comment further on the employee's suspension, saying that the 'grievance process' was 'confidential between the individuals and the company'.
Following the dramatic suspension announcement, a spokesman for Red Bull said: 'We are unable to comment on an internal employee matter.' The inquiry heard 60 hours of evidence and culminated in a 150-page report by a London KC.
The employee 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.
Horner, whose team made the perfect start to their double title defence in the season opener, was keen to bring attention back to the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.
After fielding a barrage of questions of the topic, he called for the invasion into his private life to cease and attention turned towards racing.
'The intrusion on my family is now enough,' he said. 'We need to move forward. It's time now to focus on why we're here, which is to go Formula One racing.'
It comes as ex-Spice Girl Mel B said it had been 'horrible' to see her bandmate suffer and that she, Mel C, Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham would 'take a bullet' for their friend.
She told The Mirror: 'Between the four of us we've all been messaging her, I sent a message to her earlier. I just feel for her, and... oh my God. I just feel sad.
'But she knows she has us four that are with her. Because I don't really know the ins and outs, all I see is, 'That's my friend and I know what she's going through is really tough.'
'All you can do is be there, just like the girls have been there for me, all I can do is be there for Geri.
'But it is horrible to see your friend going through something, something you don't quite know what it is, but that's your friend and you want to protect her, no matter what.'
Mail+ revealed that the scandal has put the girlband's reunion - minus Victoria Beckham - in question, with sources claiming she will not commit to the project.
Last week Red Bull's GmbH issued a statement saying: 'The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed.
'The complainant has a right of appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.
'The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and, therefore, we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned. Red Bull will continue striving to meet the highest workplace standards.'
