Horner breaks his silence: Red Bull boss reveals details of sex scandal
Las Vegas (USA) - The fourth world championship title in a row for Max Verstappen (27, Red Bull ) is also a source of satisfaction for racing team boss Christian Horner (51) and, above all, the culmination of one of his most difficult years in motorsport.
Shortly before the triumph in Las Vegas, the Brit broke the silence in the sex scandal surrounding him for the first time and revealed details about the violent time.
In an interview with theDaily Mail ahead of the race, he said: "If 2024, which was the most difficult year of my life both personally and professionally, comes to an end and we win the drivers' championship with Max, that's the best answer to all the critics."
His wish came true on Sunday thanks to the Dutch dominator, but he still cannot easily forget the events of the past few months.
In February, an avalanche rolled down on him and his family around his wife, ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell (52) and their two children, which could hardly be stopped. Horner was accused of having written lewd messages to a female employee under his command, and spicy photos even made the rounds in the driver's cab.
He was then attacked not only by Verstappen's father Jos, but also by the competition, including Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff (52). "When I was on the ground, Toto Wolff attacked me. So did others," he told the Daily Mail.
Formula 1: Christian Horner declares his love for his wife Geri Halliwell
For a long time, it was unclear whether Horner would remain team principal at Red Bull Racing; the company only launched an internal investigation after several weeks of public pressure, which was unable to prove Horner's guilt.
Nevertheless, the discussion about the affair continued. The early months were particularly difficult for Halliwell. "She's read a lot in the media, but I'm very lucky that I have a fantastic family who have been with me through this difficult time. Your partner is always the one you share your difficulties with. Geri has been absolutely brilliant and has given me tremendous support," explains Horner.
Halliwell's appearance with her husband in the midst of a storm of rumors at the Bahrain Grand Prix in early March, which felt like a gauntlet, is unforgettable.
"When I flew to Bahrain, I didn't know if I was actually going to be at the race. But I believed in myself and the processes that Red Bull had put in place. I had enormous support and backing from the shareholders and from the company itself," said the Austrian.
The constant attacks from the competition actually helped the entire Red Bull team in the end. "In difficult times and when stones are thrown, it gives the team a boost. I think the team has developed a certain f***-you mentality this year. Our people have said, 'We're a strong team, no matter what you throw at us, we're going to keep going'."
They kept going and, just as Horner was apparently able to save his marriage, the team and Verstappen managed to snatch the world championship title once again.