Christian Horner’s upcoming autobiography, ‘Drive’, is set to detail Geri Halliwell’s reaction to the texting scandal that emerged in early 2024. The book, scheduled for release on October 22, 2026, offers Horner’s perspective on the events and their impact on his personal life.
The controversy began in February 2024 when allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague were made against Horner. Red Bull initiated an internal investigation, conducted by an external lawyer, which cleared him of wrongdoing on February 28, 2024.
Despite the clearance, alleged messages between Horner and the employee were leaked shortly after the verdict. An appeal against the decision was subsequently dismissed in August 2024.
In ‘Drive’, Horner recounts informing Halliwell of the allegations. He states that she advised him to ‘Just tell your truth’.
Halliwell publicly demonstrated her support for Horner at the Bahrain Grand Prix in March 2024, appearing hand-in-hand with him in the paddock. This show of solidarity occurred days after the alleged messages were leaked.
Horner also details Halliwell’s ‘remarkable resilience’ during this period, noting her strength and conviction in supporting him through a challenging time.
Horner, who served as Red Bull team principal and CEO for 20 years, was relieved of his duties on July 9, 2025. He led the team to six constructors’ championships and eight driver world titles during his tenure.
Laurent Mekies, who previously led the Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team, succeeded Horner as CEO and Team Principal of Red Bull Racing on July 9, 2025.
Horner has indicated that he believes his departure was linked to the concentration of power he held within the Red Bull organisation, particularly following the death of co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022. He described his exit as ‘brutal and sad’.
He also expressed feeling ‘hurt and robbed’ at not being present to witness Red Bull’s first in-house power unit, the DM-01 developed with Ford for the 2026 season, run in a car for the first time in January 2026. Horner was central to the initiation of the Red Bull Powertrains project.
Under Laurent Mekies, Red Bull has experienced a resurgence in the current 2026 season. Max Verstappen has secured back-to-back victories in Malaysia and Singapore, and won the Bahrain Grand Prix with the new Red Bull Ford Powertrains engine.
Mekies has credited Verstappen’s ‘outstanding’ technical sensitivity as crucial to the team’s improved performance this season.
Horner is not currently involved in Formula 1, though reports in April 2026 suggested he was permitted to join another team after a 10-month gardening leave period, following an £80 million settlement with Red Bull.
His memoir, ‘Drive’, will provide further insights into his two-decade career, including the challenges of building and leading a championship-winning team.
