Red Bull Drama keep coming
In what is being dubbed as “the biggest decision of her life,” Geri Horner, of Spice Girls fame, finds herself entangled in a storm of controversy following leaked texts implicating her husband, Christian Horner, the Red Bull Formula One boss, and one of his colleagues.
The scandal erupted as a multitude of messages exchanged between Christian and a female staff member surfaced, reaching a staggering 149 individuals associated with Formula One, including FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. This revelation unfolded merely 24 hours subsequent to Christian being exonerated by an internal investigation concerning allegations of “coercive behavior” towards a female colleague.
Reports suggest that Geri, 51, is grappling with the fear that the leaked texts and ensuing scandal could not only tarnish her own reputation but also jeopardize her husband’s standing. Despite the turmoil, the singer-turned-author is anticipated to stand by Christian’s side at the Grand Prix in Bahrain this weekend, following the dissemination of alleged sexually explicit messages attributed to the father-of-two on Thursday night.
Sources close to Geri revealed to The Mail that she finds herself at a crossroads, facing a pivotal decision regarding the future of her marriage. Amidst deliberations, questions loom over whether Geri will opt for a temporary rift or a permanent separation. The Mirror reported that Geri embarked on a journey to Bahrain for what was described as “crisis talks” with her husband after the scandal broke out.
Allegations against Christian have been vehemently denied, with him expressing relief at being exonerated by the internal inquiry. In response to the leaked emails, Christian has refrained from offering detailed comments, dismissing them as “anonymous speculation from unknown sources.”
As Geri navigates this tumultuous period, she finds herself torn between familial allegiance and professional considerations. Her inner circle remains vigilant, advising her to tread cautiously amidst the escalating situation, cognizant of the potential repercussions on both her personal life and professional brand.
Christian has denied all allegations against him, and told of his relief at being cleared by the internal inquiry. He said: “I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and fully cooperated with it every step of the way.” He also reiterated his denials after the release of the emails on Thursday. He added in the wake of the leak: “I am not going to comment on anonymous speculation from unknown sources.”
Verstappen Secures Pole Position Amidst Tricky Qualifying Conditions at Sakhir
The anticipated return of Red Bull’s dominance in the 2023 Formula One season took an unexpected turn during the lead-up to the final stage of qualifying at the Sakhir circuit. Despite early predictions favoring Red Bull’s resurgence, Max Verstappen found himself overshadowed by Ferrari and Mercedes in the practice sessions.
Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari set the pace in Q1 and Q2, respectively, showcasing promising performance. However, it was Verstappen who ultimately clinched pole position in the top 10 shootout, despite Leclerc’s Q2 lap surpassing the Dutchman’s pole time.
Reflecting on the challenging qualifying conditions, Verstappen acknowledged the team’s struggle in finding the ideal car setup amidst the windy conditions. Incremental improvements made throughout Thursday and Friday were instrumental in Red Bull’s journey to securing pole position.
Verstappen attributed the team’s success to continuous work and adjustments, leading to significant improvements in car performance. However, he admitted that the initial run didn’t feel optimal, emphasizing the team’s effort in maximizing grip and balance.
The narrow 0.3s gap between Verstappen and his competitors concealed the intensity of the qualifying session, with Verstappen highlighting the uncertainty regarding pole position. He emphasized the impact of windy conditions on lap consistency, underscoring the importance of cornering precision in gaining crucial time.
“I think it was just a very tight qualifying, and with very tricky conditions with the wind. If you can get the la- together, maybe you can find one, one-and-a-half tenths in one corner,” he said.
The three-time champion lauded the competitiveness of the qualifying session, emphasizing the closeness of gaps throughout. Verstappen expressed excitement over the unpredictable nature of the session, highlighting the thrill of uncertainty heading into the decisive Q3 stage.
As Verstappen gears up for the season opener, his pole position victory marks a promising start for Red Bull, setting the stage for an exhilarating race at the Sakhir circuit.
