- Horner cleared of allegations of ‘coercive behaviour’ towards colleague
- Screenshots of a conversation between Horner and the employee were leaked
- Red Bull has denied new explosive claims made in a specialist F1 magazine
Christian Horner is facing fresh turmoil after new allegations were published in a 19-page investigation naming his accuser as he was seen in a furious fight with his nemesis Jos Verstappen.
Horner was cleared last Wednesday of “coercive behaviour” towards a female colleague following an investigation into the 50-year-old man who is also the husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.
However, screenshots of a text conversation allegedly between Horner and the employee who made the allegations were leaked via an anonymous email. The email was sent to prominent F1 figures and contained 79 documents that included some messages of a sexual nature.
A specialist Formula One magazine with 5,000 readers has carried out a 19-page investigation into the case, containing a series of damning new allegations. It also names the staff member he allegedly texted and documents the power struggle at the top of Red Bull.
Red Bull has denied an F1 trade magazine’s explosive allegations about Christian Horner in a 19-page investigation that names the staff member he allegedly sent text messages to.
Horner was seen having a lively discussion with Max Verstappen’s father Jos in the Red Bull motorhome during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.
Horner and his wife Geri Halliwell bonded during the Bahrain Grand Prix after screenshots of a text conversation allegedly between Horner and the employee were leaked.
As reported by The timesSources close to Horner dismissed the article as “full of inaccuracies.”
The author of the article is Tom Rubython, who has run BusinessF1 magazine since 2003 and describes himself as “probably the most in-demand journalist in Britain.”
The 68-year-old, who also stood for Ukip in the 2015 general election, has been sued by former Formula One leaders Max Mosely and Bernie Ecclestone, as well as business tycoon Lord Alan Sugar.
Rubython in total claims to have faced between “20 and 30 legal battles.”
The times Quote him saying, “They have forgotten about us.” They (Red Bull Racing) are so busy chasing the mainstream media that they forgot our magazine is coming out. Our magazine is usually about business, sponsorships and motors; a good scandal is very rare.’
Rubython also admitted that it did not submit its claims to Red Bull before publication, known in journalism as the “right of reply.”
He said: ‘If I had brought the claims to Christian, I would have received an immediate injunction or an attempted injunction… Harbottle (Horner’s lawyers) are going to have a problem if they come looking for us in the morning. Whether you like it or not, I have a bit of a reputation for not giving in.
Despite the controversy off the track, on the circuit Horner’s Red Bull team had a perfect start to the season.
Max Verstappen won the first race of the season ahead of his Red Bull teammate Sergio Pérez.
However, Max’s father Jos exclusively told Mail Sport that Red Bull will explode if Horner maintains his position.
He said: ‘There is tension here as he (Horner) remains in position.
‘The team is in danger of disintegrating. It can’t continue as it is. It will explode. He’s playing the victim, when he’s the one causing the problems.’
According to his affiliates, Horner believes that Verstappen Sr. has orchestrated a campaign to overthrow him in recent weeks, implying that the Dutchman even had something to do with the email leak, something that has not been proven.
Sky Italia posted a video showing Horner having a lively discussion with Jos Verstappen during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.
Horner and Halliwell watched the podium ceremony together after Max Verstappen won the opening race of the season.
Horner, however, hopes to maintain his position, saying after Max Verstappen’s victory: “Absolutely 100 percent. There was a long internal process that was completed by independent quality control. The grievance raised was dismissed. End of. Move on. “I have always had complete confidence that I will be here.”
Halliwell was on a flight to see her husband before the Bahrain Grand Prix when the messages were leaked. She shared a kiss with Horner in full view of the cameras in a show of solidarity on race day.
The team manager was also seen alongside his wife of almost nine years as they watched the podium celebrations on Saturday.
