EXCLUSIVE: As Geri Horner’s husband officially walked away from his job, it has reopened ‘old wounds’ as a source tells us ‘it’s an instant reminder of the investigation and texting scandal’
When Geri Horner’s F1 boss husband Christian officially walked away from his top Red Bull role last week with a reported £80m payout, a source claims it reopened ‘painful wounds’ for his ever-loyal wife. Last year, Christian faced allegations of “controlling and inappropriate behaviour” by a female colleague, which he strongly denied. Cleared of any wrongdoing following an investigation, the 51-year-old racing car driver nonetheless faced a flurry of backlash amid the scandal.
Spice Girls star Geri, 53, may have stood by her husband of ten years – but our source maintains it’s not so easy for the mum-of-one to forget what was a dark time. “Christian’s departure from Red Bull means huge amounts of money for the family, but it doesn’t erase what led to this”, they exclusively tell OK!.
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“Geri feels like him leaving Red Bull is reopening painful wounds – it’s naturally bringing back all of the drama and heartache of the last year. People talk about Christian leaving and it’s an instant reminder of the investigation and texting scandal,” they say. Christian was sacked from his two-decade long run as Red Bull’s Team principal in July, his duties immediately paused, but he has only now reached a settlement with the Austrian company to officially leave. His time at Red Bull came to a sour end this summer when the company announced he was to be “relieved” of his operational duties with immediate effect, to be replaced by current CEO and Team Principle Laurent Mekies. Following a three-week investigation, he was cleared of any wrongdoing. However, WhatsApp texts allegedly sent between the two parties were leaked just 24 hours later, causing further speculation that Christian had been suggestive towards the colleague.
Mum-of-two Geri supported her other half throughout, but was said to be finding the public speculation tough to take behind the scenes. And our source claims that things haven’t quite been brushed under the carpet, with all eyes on Christian yet again. “Geri is still struggling with what happened, it wasn’t easy to go through at all. Christian’s payout from Red Bull brings that all back up for her. She stood by him when some would have questioned him, and has worked really hard to move past it all.” At the time of his dismissal, a source told us that Christian’s axing was the latest in a string of public embarrassments for Geri. “Geri is going to stand by her man and is supporting him fully. Image means so much to her, but behind closed doors she isn’t happy about the attention this brings,” they said.
“Image means so much to Geri and she knows everyone will relate it back to the leaked messages and what went on last year, so it’s not easy for her.”
It’s not all bad news, however. Christian reportedly received an £80m payout last week to sever his contract, which was due to run until 2030.
The whopping compensation package is almost double what Geri received for her chart-topping pop career in the Spice Girls – and more than trumps her earnings from the band.
Geri, alongside Victoria Beckham, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton and Melanie Chisholm, became a household name before leaving the band in 1998.
Christian has been married to Geri since 2015 and shares son Montague, eight, with the former singer, who is also a mother to daughter Bluebell, 19, from a previous relationship with filmmaker Sacha Gervasi.
Geri is also stepmum to Christian’s 11-year-old daughter Olivia, whom he shared with late ex-wife, Beverley Allen. While it hasn’t been an easy year for Geri and her brood, our source goes on to say that one thing she is thankful for is the chance at a whole new chapter. “Geri is ready for a fresh start. She’s made it clear she doesn’t want any more negativity surrounding them, it’s been embarrassing enough as it is. Money doesn’t take away the public scrutiny and judgement, so she’s laid down the rules to Christian going forward to make sure they’re not in this kind of situation again. It’s time to move past all of it.”
They added, “This clean slate also means more family time and a chance for Christian and Geri to spend time together, which is what they both want”. While the former singer is yet to speak out on what her husband’s next move may be, Christian did share a statement last week, in which he said: “Leading Red Bull Racing has been an honour and privilege. When we started in 2005, none of us could have imagined the journey ahead – the championships, the races, the people, the memories.”
He continued: “I am incredibly proud of what we achieved as a team breaking records and reaching heights no-one would ever believe were possible and I will forever carry that with me.”
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