Geri Halliwell 'has shut out other Spice Girls stars' as Christian Horner saga overshadows new F1 season

Less than 24 hours after Horner was given the green light to continue in his role, however, WhatsApp messages were leaked to 149 figures asssociated with Formula One.

Horner continues to deny allegations of wrongdoing but is now firmly back in the spotlight once again.

It has previously been claimed other members of the Spice Girls had been supporting Geri behind the scenes.

But The Sun say the 51-year-old has now shut Mel B, Mel C, Victoria Beckham and Emma Bunton out.

An insider is also quoted as saying: “This is humiliation on an international scale for Geri, and it’s almost impossible to imagine what she’s going through right now.

“Christian has always privately asserted that the claims levelled against him were nonsense.

“She’s not the type of woman to go through someone’s phone, so to see these in black and white after all his protestations of innocence is utterly devastating.

“Geri has been bombarded with messages of support, and texts checking in on her, but she’s largely shutting everyone out, and simply trying to put one foot in front of the other."

They added: “Of course, to leave Christian — and walk away from the blissful life they’ve built for themselves — would be the ultimate act of ‘girl power’.

“But as anyone with kids knows — not to mention a hinterland of love and connection — that is easier said than done.”

Halliwell is said to be directing media inquiries to her legal team while the process plays out.

While the 51-year-old has jetted out to Bahrain ahead of the first race of the season, however, it's currently unclear if she'll be by Horner's side today.

A Red Bull insider claims Geri knows the woman who has complained to Red Bull about Horner.

They said: “Geri knows of this woman, and had no qualms about their working relationship.

“This was the woman for whom her husband turned. Again, this is a bitter, bitter pill to swallow.”

Horner does, however, continue to insist that he's done nothing wrong.

The 50-year-old has branded the leaks 'anonymous speculation' and says he's fully focused on the start of the new season.

Horner said earlier this week: “I won’t comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate, I have always denied the allegations.

"I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and fully cooperated with it every step of the way.

“It was a thorough and fair investigation conducted by an independent specialist barrister and it has concluded, dismissing the complaint made.

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"I remain fully focused on the start of the season.”

Meanwhile, another source has claimed Geri's team are 'worried' about the Spice Girls icon and that she had to be 'talked into' meeting Horner in Bahrain.

They told The Mirror: “Geri has been locked in crisis talks with her team this week about how to manage all of this.

"Christian had played down the whole affair to her, but she can’t bear the fact it is now all out in the open.

"She feels like a fool. It has really taken its toll on her and she told pals this week she would not be in Bahrain.

“She was adamant she wouldn’t be there, she would not pretend like ­everything was OK.

"But Christian’s mum has been leaning on her heavily to stand by his side, and publicly back him, and her pleas seem to have worked.

"Her own team had been urging her to keep her distance and seek advice.

“They are worried about the impact on both her personally and her brand and want her to pause and consider her next move carefully.

"She feels incredibly torn between the two camps. It’s a horrific situation for her to be in, and it is growing worse by the minute.”