What you need to know about Geri Halliwell-Horner and Christian Horner’s marriage as he is sacked as Red Bull’s F1 boss.
It was announced on July 9 that the team principal had been sacked, one year on from the sexting scandal.
At the time, Horner was cleared twice of coercive behaviour towards his colleague during internal investigations of wrongdoing.
Oliver Mintzlaff, Managing Director of Red Bull GmbH, confirmed the news in a brief statement: ‘We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.
‘With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise, and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1.
‘Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.’
Why was Christian Horner sacked from Red Bull?
While the reasoning for his removal from the team is unconfirmed, it is speculated that it could be related to Red Bull’s performance this year.
Horner, 51, had been team principal at Red Bull since 2005, overseeing eight drivers’ world championships and six constructors’ world championships.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen won only two of the 12 races staged this season and finished fifth on Sunday’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone – Horner’s last race as the big boss.
It was reported in May 2025 that Red Bull’s owners have always been divided about Horner and now, according to reports from Austria, they were strongly considering sacking him after two very successful decades at the helm.
Additionally, Horner’s career has been under a microscope since his involvement in one of the biggest F1 scandals that took place last year, and he was under intense pressure to resign.
At the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix, Horner was cleared following an internal investigation into claims of wrongdoing by a female staff member at Red Bull.
Hundreds of WhatsApp messages, appearing to be exchanged between Horner and the complainant, were leaked and saw Horner accused of ‘inappropriate and controlling behaviour’ claims Horner has always denied.
The scandal saw a lot of key figures depart Red Bull, including design guru Adrian Newey, chief designer Rob Marshall and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley.
What did Christian Horner say about the alleged WhatsApp leak?
WhatsApp messages and images supposedly related to the investigation – which Metro have seen – were leaked to the media and F1 personnel.
Responding, he said in a statement: ‘I will not comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate I have always denied the allegations.
‘I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and fully cooperated with it every step of the way.
‘It was a thorough and fair investigation conducted by an independent specialist barrister, and it has concluded, dismissing the complaint made. I remain fully focused on the start of the season.’
What were the Christian Horner allegations?
Horner had been accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ towards ‘one particular team member of Red Bull Racing’, according to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf.
The sports boss said in response: ‘I completely deny these claims.’
He emphatically rejected the allegation, which had been reported as relating to inappropriate controlling behaviour.
Red Bull – the Austrian energy drinks company which owns the F1 team – ‘launched an independent investigation’, before revealing on that it was complete and the ‘grievance has been dismissed’.
They added: ‘The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned.’
After the announcement, Horner initially commented: ‘I’m just pleased that the process is over. I obviously can’t comment about it.
‘I’m pleased to be here in Bahrain with the team focused on the season ahead. The team has never been stronger.’
How did Geri Halliwell react to the reports?
After the initial allegations emerged, a source close to Geri told The Sun: ‘She is insisting Christian has done nothing wrong.’
The details of the leaked messages and images reportedly left the former Spice Girl ‘stunned’ according to The Sun, while the Daily Mail add she has been ‘extremely humiliated.’
Who is Christian Horner?
Horner is an ex-racing driver and is the former Team Principal of the Red Bull Formula One team, a position he had held since 2005.
He has won 13 world titles, including six World Constructors’ Championships and seven World Drivers’ Championships.
The former F1 boss initially began his motorsport career as a racing car driver, before he switched roles to become head of International Formula 3000 team Arden International Motorsport in 1999.
As for his personal life, Horner was in a relationship with Beverley Allen from 1999 to 2013.
He and Beverley share a daughter, Olivia, who was born in October 2013.
Just six months later, Horner reportedly confirmed his relationship with the Spice Girl star.
They first met at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2009, mixing in the same social circles before dating.
When did Geri Halliwell and Christian Horner get married?
The couple shared the news of their engagement in November 2014.
They married on May 15 2015, in a star-studded ceremony in Bedfordshire, with Geri’s daughter Bluebell, then nine, walking her down the aisle.
Opting for a more traditional announcement of their engagement rather than an Instagram post, the couple confirmed their news in The Times.
‘The engagement is announced between Christian, son of Mr and Mrs G.M. Horner and Geraldine, daughter of the late Mr L.F. Halliwell and Mrs A. Parkinson’, the notice read.
Wedding guests included Sir Jackie Stewart, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, and former F1 driver David Coulthard.
Horner’s parents chose not to attend their wedding, after reportedly being left devastated at the end of their son’s previous relationship.
Ginger Spice’s former Spice Girls bandmates Victoria Beckham and Melanie B were not there in person but congratulated their friend on social media afterwards.
Posh Spice wrote: ‘@GeriHalliwell Sending u love and happiness. Im so sad I couldn’t be with you on your special day x I love u x’.
Scary Spice posted: ‘@GeriHalliwell wishing you the most beautiful special day of your life,I love you xxxx.’
In 2017, Halliwell was said to have been keen to smooth things over with Horner’s ex-wife, Allen.
‘Geri is sick of being painted as a home wrecker. She wants to be a good stepmother to Olivia, and for all three siblings to grow up with a good relationship, so she is determined to be on civil terms,’ a source claimed to Closer (via The Mirror).
Where do Geri Halliwell and Christian Horner live?
Away from the racing tracks and chaos of show business, the power couple enjoy a slower-paced life.
The singer and sportsman share not one but two stunning country homes in Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire.
They have their own duck pond, which is used for boating, as well as a farm with miniature donkeys, horses, and goats.
How many children does Geri Halliwell have with her husband?
Christian and Geri have one child together, and are the parents to three children collectively.
The singer’s daughter, Bluebell Madonna Halliwell, 19, was born in 2006, and she is Halliwell’s from a previous relationship with screenwriter Sacha Gervasi.
Meanwhile, Horner and Halliwell welcomed their first child together, a son named Montague George Hector Horner, in January 2017, who is now seven.
The singer is also step-mum to Horner’s daughter, Olivia, 11.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
