Christian Horner and his wife Geri Halliwell displayed “overkill rituals” and a “dramatic signal of both affection and lasting sexual attraction” at the Bahrain Grand Prix, according to a body language expert.
The beleaguered F1 boss and his Spice Girl wife put on a show of unity this weekend as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez claimed a sensational one-two victory to take the spotlight off the leaked text message storm.
Red Bull director Horner was cleared of inappropriate behavior towards a female colleague last week after an internal investigation, but 24 hours later flirty texts apparently exchanged between the pair were leaked to 149 F1 figures.
The leak of messages appears to show that Horner sent her suggestive texts and intimate photos, believed to be key evidence in her complaint, to Red Bull GmbH.
But despite the bomb leak, Halliwell stood by her husband and kissed him in front of the cameras in Bahrain. In other footage, Horner can be seen placing his hand on his wife’s waist as they watch the Red Bull festivities.
Commenting on the video, body language expert Judi James told MailOnline: ‘These seem like overkill rituals, taking the body language of togetherness to a new level.
This is the moment F1 boss Christian Horner puts his hand on his wife’s waist. Body language expert Judi James said it was a ‘dramatic signal of both affection and lasting sexual attraction’
Horner (pictured with his Spice Girl wife at the weekend) was cleared of wrongdoing in an internal investigation on Wednesday
Christian and Geri kiss before the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit
Christian and Geri Horner after Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix
The couple wears the kind of dreamy, upward-facing facial expressions that fans wear in the front row of a Barry Manilow concert.
‘Their bodies are pressed together and then there is the dramatic signal of both affection and lasting sexual attraction as Christian places his hand on his wife’s lower hip.
“She seems to sway a little, but seems to accept the intimacy with a smile that this time shows a glimpse of teeth.”
In another video, the couple is seen sitting at a table and having a deep conversation with Flavio Briatore and a Red Bull employee.
Italian businessman Briatore, 73, was managing director of the Benetton Formula 1 team in the 1990s when a young Michael Schumacher won two world titles with them.
He later became team boss of Renault F1 after they took over Benetton in 2000. Fernando Alonso won the Drivers’ Championship with the team in 2005 and 2006.
Mrs James believes Halliwell ‘looks a little less comfortable’ because her husband looks as if he is having a ‘business conversation’.
She added: ‘Her feet are tucked under her chair, suggesting a desire to hide, while one hand is placed partially cut off near her mouth or chin, suggesting reduced self-confidence.
“When she turns to chat or listen to the man next to her, we see that her smile has faded and her expression looks polite but less resolutely cheerful.”
New footage has emerged of under-pressure Red Bull chief Christian Horner and his wife Geri Halliwell in serious discussion during the Bahrain Grand Prix. Ms James said Halliwell ‘looked less comfortable here’
Verstappen and Horner (right) both celebrated the Dutchman’s victory in Bahrain
In further footage from an action-packed weekend in Bahrain, Horner and Verstappen’s father Jos was seen in the middle of a heated conversation – with internet rumors swirling about why the two F1 giants appeared to be feuding.
The warring men engaged in an expressive discussion yesterday after Mail Sport reported they had a blazing row after qualifying on Friday evening.
Jos, who was also seen with Ferrari boss Toto Wolff last night, has insisted that Red Bull would ‘explode’ if Horner remains as team boss after messages and photos sent by the Red Bull team boss to a female employee were leaked. He says Christian is playing the victim.
What Christian and Jos discussed in a team trailer remains secret – although Horner was clearly irritated and seen pointing outside and waving his hand. Jos sat with his hands in his pockets.
The images have sparked wild speculation online about what the apparently fiery conversation entailed. Many believe it is a hint that three-time world champion Max Verstappen could try to force a move to Ferrari and join Lewis Hamilton if Horner keeps his £8million-a-year job. There will also be an empty seat at Mercedes when Lewis leaves at the end of 2024.
Footage has emerged of scandal-hit Horner feuding with his nemesis Jos Verstappen, father of Red Bull star driver Max
Both Verstappen and Horner waved their arms during their conversation behind closed doors
Jos Verstappen (right) claims Red Bull will ‘explode’ if Christian Horner stays with the team
Others have suggested that Jos could have defended the female employee or told Christian to fall on his sword, with Mr Horner explaining why he refused.
Commenting on the video, Ms James said: ‘The facial expressions are not clear in this conversation, but the emphatic gestures suggest it is an emotional or important discussion, driven mainly by Horner, whose hands appear to be moving through it.
‘Verstappen seems to have both hands in his pockets at the start in a more passive position. Horner’s gestures include rapid and staccato movements, indicating that he is eager to make his point.
‘He points to the room or doorway behind them. Verstappen appears to mirror or copy this gesture, but with a limp hand that may not suggest the real anger on his part.
‘Horner holds his hand up as if to make his point and as he points his index finger to the side, Verstappen appears to be swinging from one foot to the other, which could indicate clumsiness.
‘Horner appears to swipe his hand to the right and throw his head. He also appears to be touching his chest, but from his animated gestures it seems as if the discussion here is being led by him.’
It comes after it emerged that the woman at the center of Horner’s allegations, which threaten to disrupt the F1 Red Bull racing team, has worked for RedBull for four years.
Horner stands behind his wife as Red Bull celebrates first and second place
The woman, whom MailOnline is not naming, was identified in a piece published today by BusinessF1 Magazine.
Sources claim that Horner started developing a ‘superiority complex at Red Bull’ last year.
The BusinessF1 piece claims: ‘There were incidents of Horner sending her text messages during Grand Prix weekends asking her to come to his room.
According to the article, the woman who studied at the University of Edinburgh and has a wealthy background, started working in motorsport in the mid-2000s after being hired during her summer holidays, and then as an intern after graduating.
Initially she enjoyed the job at Red Bull, especially the travel and excitement of the F1 grid.
But sources close to her claim that Horner’s attitude changed after a few years and that she did not know how to deal with the change in their relationship.
“At first she was flattered, then shocked by the personal implications,” it was claimed.
