Christian Horner and Geri Halliwell’s display of unity at the Bahrain Grand Prix has been branded a “farce” by a former Formula One driver.
Halliwell had been filmed and photographed holding hands with Horner on her way to the grid at the Bahrain International Circuit on Saturday, amid the Red Bull boss’ ongoing leaked text messages scandal.
A tranche of WhatsApp messages and photographs Horner allegedly sent to a female employee were leaked a day after Red Bull cleared the 50-year-old of “coercive behavior towards a female colleague” ahead of the start of the 2024 season.
Halliwell and Horner were later photographed kissing in the paddock less than an hour before the lights went out in Bahrain.
Horner appeared to lean in to kiss his wife in full view of the cameras as the world watched his response to the controversy that has rocked Formula One.
Christian Horner and Geri Halliwell’s show of unity in Bahrain has been called a “farce”
The ex-Spice Girl arrived hand in hand with the Red Bull team boss ahead of the Grand Prix
Former F1 driver Christian Albers, pictured in 2014, criticized the show of unity between the pair after a series of unwanted headlines.
After kissing, Halliwell appeared to look directly at the photographers.
Christijan Albers, who raced in Formula One between 2005 and 2007, criticized the public display of unity between the pair.
Albers, speaking in a Dutch newspaper The De Telegraaf F1 PodcastHe claimed that the exhibition was a “farce” and accused Horner of an “absolutely absurd” public relations move.
“What kind of farce is that?” said Albers, who now works for Dutch television as an F1 analyst.
‘It’s always very easy to say something about that, for me it is too. It’s easy to weaken someone.
“Only, let’s be honest, that kind of PR, or what he himself came up with to walk to the paddock with Geri, is, of course, absolute nonsense.
“That’s just a farce and I would never have done it.”
Albers, who briefly served as director of the Caterham F1 team in 2014, said the ongoing Horner scandal is a “difficult story”.
Embattled Red Bull boss Horner has been accused of an “absolutely absurd” PR move
Halliwell and Horner were photographed heading to Red Bull’s base of operations.
The pair were seen to have shown a united front after days of unwanted headlines.
Halliwell then appeared to look directly at the photographers while in view of the cameras.
“It’s a pretty difficult story,” Albers said. ‘I take it from everything they have sent me, from all the journalists who received material.
“It’s hard to interfere with that, because you never really know what exactly happened.”
Horner was cleared after Red Bull launched an internal investigation into the allegations on February 5.
Flirty messages allegedly exchanged between Horner and the complainant were leaked to 149 F1 figures while Halliwell was on the flight to see her husband at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Halliwell, who married the Red Bull team principal in 2015, was allegedly thrown into crisis when she landed in the Gulf state on a private jet and discovered the explosive messages had appeared all over social media.
Throughout the investigation and since the messages were leaked, Horner has denied any wrongdoing.
Horner previously said: “I have the support of an incredible family, an incredible wife, an incredible team and everyone who is part of that team.”
Horner, who denied the allegations, said he was supported by an incredible family and wife.
“And my focus is on competing, winning races and doing the best I can.”
‘It was a day to start the season in the best possible way. My focus is on this team, my family, my wife and racing.”
Halliwell’s confirmed presence at the Bahrain Grand Prix indicated a public show of solidarity with Horner.
The former Spice Girl, 51, is said to have “read her husband the riot card” before showing a show of unity, and inside sources said the pop star wants the employee in question “out of the picture”.
Halliwell is not expected to attend this weekend’s Grand Prix in Jeddah, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
Horner, who earns £8 million a year, has been determined to remain in his job throughout the Formula One season.
More pressure was put on the Red Bull boss last week after he became involved in a furious mystery dispute with Verstappen’s father Jos.
Horner has been determined to remain in his position throughout the Formula One season.
It came after Mail Sport exclusively reported that Verstappen senior believes the champion constructor will “explode” if Horner does not vacate his position.
He also reportedly told friends that Verstappen Jr. could leave the team if Horner remains at Red Bull.
On Monday, new allegations were published in an explosive 19-page investigation in BusinessF1 magazine that named Horner’s accuser, although sources close to the Red Bull boss deny these claims, insisting they are “full of inaccuracies.”