Geri Halliwell has demanded her husband Christian Horner cut ties with the colleague who is accused of sending saucy messages, sources claimed last night.
The former Spice Girl, who has until now staunchly supported her embattled partner, is said to have set “strict ground rules” for the Red Bull boss after he was cleared of inappropriate behaviour.
Halliwell, 51, is said to have “read the card to her husband” before putting on a show of unity with him in front of the cameras at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday, including a kiss before Max Verstappen claimed the victory for Red Bull.
Although Verstappen and Sergio Pérez shone in Bahrain with a sensational double, the focus remains on Horner, who faces new calls to resign amid the explosive text messages that have been leaked.
Horner, 50, had been cleared to continue as Red Bull team principal on Wednesday following an internal investigation, but 24 hours later, flirtatious text messages allegedly exchanged between him and the complainant were leaked to 149 F1 figures.
While Ginger Spice may have supported her husband in a show of solidarity this weekend, insiders say the pop star wants the employee “out of the picture.”
Christian Horner and Geri Halliwell shake hands in a public show of unity at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday.
The former Spice Girl celebrates with Horner after Red Bull achieved a memorable one-two in Bahrain.
Halliwell kisses her husband before the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon
A source said Sun: ‘Although she smiled for the cameras at the Grand Prix, Geri has set some strict ground rules.
“One is that Christian cuts or reduces contact with the woman, but that is difficult because of his role at Red Bull.
And she’s definitely given her opinion on the messages she sends. For obvious reasons, Geri would like her colleague, whom she knew before her appointment, to be as far away as possible.
The source added that Red Bull cannot fire the woman because there are no reasons to do so.
An F1 insider also told the publication that Halliwell, who shares seven-year-old Monty with Horner, had shown “nothing but support” for her husband but is unlikely to be at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. next weekend because she’s “incredibly busy.” ‘.
Horner faces calls to quit his role and has been accused by Verstappen’s father Jos of “breaking up the team”.
Verstappen senior, who manages his world champion son Max, told Mail Sport in Bahrain: “There is tension here as he stays 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.’
In further comments to The Telegraph, he said: ‘It can’t go on like this. “The situation is not good for the team and it is separating people.”
But a Red Bull spokesman said: “There are no problems here.” The team is united and we are focused on racing.”
Meanwhile, Horner has said he “absolutely” hopes to remain at the helm of Red Bull for next week’s Grand Prix.
Horner stands behind his wife as Red Bull celebrates taking first and second place in the opening race of the season.
Red Bull Formula One driver Max Verstappen celebrates his victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix this Saturday.
The Red Bull boss said his “focus is on this team” and “my family” as the Formula One season begins.
The Red Bull boss told Sky Sports he “wouldn’t be here otherwise” if he thought he was about to lose control of the F1 team.
He said: ‘We have tremendous support, tremendous partners and great shareholders behind us as well.
“These types of results are not achieved if we are not united.”
Asked if he still hopes to be in charge when next week’s race starts in Jeddah, he said: “Yes, absolutely.” Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.’
Before the race, Horner and his wife, to whom he has been married since 2015, were seen in a public display of unity.
Horner had emerged from the rear of Red Bull’s hospitality suite through a door to greet her when she arrived at the main entrance to the paddock.
They then held hands as they walked through the paddock to Red Bull’s hospitality suite. During the short walk they were harassed by photographers and television crews.
The pair were all smiles at lunch, where they were later joined by Red Bull communications chief and former F1 team principal Flavio Briatore and Red Bull majority shareholder and Horner ally, Thai billionaire Chalerm Yoovidhya .
Horner headed to the race grid about 45 minutes before the 3pm start and gave Geri a kiss as he left.
Sources told The Sun that the former Spice Girls singer is “furious” with her husband but has not gone “nuclear”.
After kissing on camera, Halliwell appeared to look directly at the photographers.
Race winner Max Verstappen and Christian Horner celebrate after winning the F1 Grand Prix in Bahrain.
Geri Halliwell celebrates in Bahrain after Red Bull achieved a double victory after a difficult couple of weeks.
Christian Horner was seen chatting with former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson in Bahrain.
Friends of Halliwell previously told the publication that she had “read him the riot primer” about the situation.
Horner, who has always denied the allegations, previously said: “I have the support of an incredible family, an incredible wife, an incredible team and everyone within that team.”
“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.”
The WhatsApp messages were sent from an anonymous email account to 149 members of the F1 paddock, including the sport’s governing body president Mohammed ben Sulayem, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali and the other nine directors. of the gridiron team, as well as members of the media. .
The explosive email contained 79 documents, including hundreds of messages, many of them sexual in nature.
Horner continues to carry out his role as team principal and chief executive, although it is understood that there is considerable disquiet among the team’s large number of sponsors and partners.
He spoke only once about the latest allegations while heading from Red Bull’s hospitality suite to the team’s garage on Friday.
“I am not going to comment on anonymous speculation from unknown sources,” he said.
When asked what comes next, Horner replied: “We’re going to compete.”
MailOnline has contacted Halliwell representatives for comment.