Sun. Dec 22nd, 2024
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JOS Verstappen says it’s “too late” for F1 boss Christian Horner to “draw a line” under the sexting scandal which has engulfed him.

The former racing driver also gave his backing to the female Red Bull employee who was suspended after the row hit breaking point.

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner, right, and Jos Verstappen, left, before the F1 Austrian Grand Prix in July 20234

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner, right, and Jos Verstappen, left, before the F1 Austrian Grand Prix in July 2023Credit: Rex
Horner pictured ahead of the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia yesterday

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Horner pictured ahead of the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia yesterdayCredit: Rex
World champion Max Verstappen, right, and his dad Jos Verstappen, left

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World champion Max Verstappen, right, and his dad Jos Verstappen, leftCredit: Getty
Geri Halliwell is expected to stand by her husband Horner at the Saudi F1 today

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Geri Halliwell is expected to stand by her husband Horner at the Saudi F1 todayCredit: Getty

Geri Halliwell, 51, is today expected to stand by her sext probe husband at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The pop icon has been staying in Dubai as Horner, 50, battled a female aide’s discredited claims that he bombarded her with “sexually suggestive” messages.

Former Grand Prix ace Jos, 52, who is the father of current world champion and Red Bull’s prime driver Max Verstappen spoke for the first time since the unidentified staffer was suspended.

He told MailOnline: “I sympathise with the woman, with all that she went through, but we will see what happens.”

When asked if it was time to “draw a line” under the situation, as Horner this week insisted people do, Jos said: “I think it’s a bit too late for that now.

“If that’s what he wants, fine, but I don’t think it will be possible.”

Jos denied there being any truth to speculation that he and the woman are involved in any way and said Red Bull seemed to know what they were doing with regards to her situation.

He added that his chief concern was his son Max – his happiness and how the scandal was affecting him.

Allegations of inappropriate behaviour against Horner were dismissed by a barrister-led probe.

Ginger Spice Geri has been left heartbroken by the scandal, which erupted when the raft of embarrassing messages were released online on the eve of the F1 season opener.

The pop icon put on a toe-curling show of unity at last week’s Bahrain Grand Prix in which Red Bull pulled off a perfect 1-2 triumph led by world champ Max Verstappen.

And she is now also expected to join Christian in Jeddah this weekend ahead of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix on Saturday.

Geri wanted her husband to cut all contact with his unidentified accuser – but he found it impossible to comply as they remained in regular contact at work.

It comes after the staffer, who is understood to have shown up for work at the team’s HQ in Milton Keynes, Bucks, was suspended on full pay.

The ongoing saga dogging Red Bull has been complicated by behind-the-scenes clashes between star driver Verstappen’s father Jos and Horner.

Insiders said Jos had become close to the woman – but he has strenuously denied being the text leaker while warning Horner’s team will “explode” if he is not ousted.

Red Bull Racing said “The company cannot comment on this internal matter.”

Horner was seen in the Saudi Arabia paddock today for practice ahead of the next race without Geri by his side.

Geri was mid-air on her way to Bahrain after her husband was cleared when the texts were published widely online via an anonymous email drop.

Halliwell and Horner have been married since 2015 and share a son.

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