Christian Horner cleared of inappropriate behaviour after Red Bull ‘sext’ probe

Christian Horner, husband of Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, has been cleared of inappropriate behaviour after accusations by a female colleague.

Christian Horner has been cleared of any wrongdoing after bombshell claims were made by a female colleague about his behaviour.

The F1 chief, 50, will remain at the team’s helm after an internal investigation over allegations of inappropriate behaviour made by a female staffer.

Red Bull team principal Horner, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was initially under investigation over alleged controlling behaviour at work.

But it was later alleged that he sent the female employee “sexually suggestive” messages.

Horner vehemently denied all claims that threatened his position as leader of the all-conquering team of world champion Max Verstappen.

He has now been cleared of misconduct after an independent barrister was employed to review the evidence.

Christian Horner. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

A Red Bull Austria spokesman said: “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.”

Horner today flew out to Bahrain ahead of the F1 season opener Grand Prix on Saturday - not knowing the outcome of the probe.

Over the three-week process of the probe, the message from within the team has been that it is “business as usual”.

Horner was present at the pre-season testing in Bahrain last week and Red Bull’s 2024 car launch days prior.

Spice Girl Geri Halliwell married Horner in 2015. (Photo by Tabatha Fireman/Getty Images for Breast Cancer Care)

Red Bull has been under pressure to resolve the matter with Ford CEO Jim Farley demanding a resolution as he expressed his disapproval of “the unresolved allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Red Bull Racing leadership”.

Last week, Horner addressed the new bombshell probe and declared he wanted a conclusion as “soon as possible”.

He was previously reportedly urged to resign by ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone - and F1 insiders did not “expect him to survive in his role”, according to BBC Sport.

F1 was rocked by the news that the sport’s longest-standing team principal had been placed under investigation by Red Bull’s Austria-based parent company.

Horner’s wife Geri Halliwell, 51, is understood to be standing firmly by her husband, who she married in 2015.

Mr and Mrs Horner dining with Prince Harry. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Royal Salute)

Earlier this month, she was pictured smiling alongside her husband at a horse racing event in Badbury Rings, Dorset.

She was allegedly reduced to tears when news of the scandal broke - but privately insisted he did nothing wrong.

Horner previously praised his wife for her support and told Dutch journalists: “I have a very supportive family and a very supportive wife.

“My focus has been on the job and the season ahead. I’m not going to talk about private matters, but my family have been hugely supportive.”

The Red Bull Racing boss has reportedly referred to the allegations as “nuts”.

Horner, who has led the Austrian team since its formation in 2005, was quizzed by an independent barrister in a private location late into the afternoon on February 9.

The F1 chief has overseen a huge period of success for the racing team – winning multiple F1 championships with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.

Red Bull has won seven Formula One world drivers’ championships and six world ­constructors’ titles under Horner’s leadership.

Last season, the team won 21 of the 22 races on the global F1 tour, and Verstappen, 26, won the drivers’ crown.

This story first appeared in The Sun and has been reproduced with permission.