Christian Horner and his Wife Geri in display of unity at Bahrain Grand Prix.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has been pictured with his wife Geri at the Bahrain Grand Prix after he was cleared of misconduct allegations.
The couple walked into the paddock hand-in-hand in Bahrain on Saturday in a show of public unity.
Christian Horner was cleared on Wednesday after an internal investigation into his behaviour towards a female colleague.
On Friday, Christian Horner again denied allegations of inappropriate behaviour after a series of messages were leaked.
An anonymous email with a link to messages purporting to involve Horner had been sent to Formula 1 personnel and media on Thursday.
Geri Horner, a member of pop group the Spice Girls, appeared with her husband, and they were later pictured kissing before the race.
Andrew Benson said that although it was a pointed appearance with cameras present, is not uncommon for Geri to appear at a Grand Prix, and that she attends several races each year.
Speaking to media on the paddock, Christian Horner said: “It’s been very testing for my family but we are very strong as a family and our focus is on this race.
“It’s the start of the season, and the team have done an incredible job over the winter to be starting on pole position in the best place possible, so let’s see what we can do in the race.
“We are here to go racing and that is my job. So this is what we are focused on and this is what we are here to do.”
Thursday’s anonymous email, which included a link to a drive of messages, was sent to 149 people involved in the sport, mainly senior figures and permanently accredited media.
After the messages emerged, Horner said in a statement: “I won’t comment on anonymous speculation. But, to reiterate, I have always denied the allegations.”
F1 president Stefano Domenicali and Mohammed Ben Sulayem – president of the FIA, the sport’s governing body – met on Friday in Bahrain to discuss the matter.
On Thursday at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and his McLaren counterpart Zak Brown called for more transparency from Red Bull on the investigation.
The messages have been brought to the attention of the FIA and it is discussing the matter with F1 management.
Timeline of Horner allegations
5 February: Red Bull announces investigation into Horner after complaint of inappropriate and controlling behaviour is made against him. Horner tells Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf:, external “I completely deny these claims.”
11 February: Horner is interviewed by lawyer for several hours but hearing finishes without resolution.
15 February: Red Bull launch car for 2024 F1 season and Horner tells the BBC the investigation is “a distraction” for his team.
21 February: Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff calls for investigation to be transparent.
28 February: Horner is cleared following internal investigation and Red Bull says he will remain in his role as team principal and chief executive.
29 February: As first practice at the Bahrain Grand Prix begins, Horner tells Sky Sports unity within Red Bull team has never been stronger. Later that day, Horner reiterates his denial of allegations after a series of messages were leaked to F1 personnel and media.