Hundreds of text messages and photos between Formula 1’s Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner and a female employee have reportedly been leaked shortly after he was acquitted of a workplace misconduct investigation. .
Mr Horner, 50, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was accused of “coercive behavior” towards a female subordinate earlier this month, but was later cleared by an investigation by Red Bull’s parent company.
The day after Horner was found not guilty, 79 screenshots containing hundreds of WhatsApp texts and photo messages between Horner and a female employee were released to the public, including chief executive Stefano Domenicali and FIA president Mohammad Ben Sulayem. It was sent anonymously via email to senior leaders within and outside of F1, including: According to the Daily Mail.
As well as Red Bull star driver Max Verstappen’s father, representatives from all other F1 teams were also emulated, the report said.
In total, nearly 200 people were copied into the email, according to the Associated Press.
“I do not comment on anonymous speculation, but again, I have always denied the allegations,” Horner said in a statement read to reporters by a Red Bull team spokesperson.
“I respect the integrity of the independent investigation and cooperated fully every step of the way,” Horner’s statement continued.
“A thorough and fair investigation was conducted by an independent specialist barrister and concluded with the charges dismissed. I remain fully focused as the season begins.”
In a separate statement, Red Bull confirmed that Horner had been cleared by an “independent investigation” and that the complainant had the right to appeal.
The specific charges against Mr. Horner have not been disclosed.
Horner has been a principal at Red Bull Racing since it entered F1 full-time in 2005.
Star driver Verstappen has won the world championship for the past three years in a row.
Even before the email leak, rival McLaren team boss Zak Brown had called on F1 and the FIA to look into the Red Bull investigation.
“From what I’ve seen, there’s still a lot of rumors and speculation and questions,” Brown said.
“I think the sanctioning bodies have a responsibility and authority towards our sport, towards our fans. As we see in other sports, all of us involved in F1 are ambassadors of the sport on and off the track. I think we need to make sure we’re completely transparent.”
Earlier this month, The Sun reported that Mr Horner’s wife, Mr Halliwell, became extremely emotional over the allegations.
“Geri was in tears all weekend as she looked after the children,” a friend of Halliwell’s told the publication. “She claims Christians have done nothing wrong.”
