Not as famous as Lewis Hamilton, but this racing boss has driven his team to success with eight world championships and still finds time to spice up his life
You may not know Christian Horner by name but in the cut throat world of Formula One racing, one word by the principal of the Red Bull Racing team could make or break the career of a driver. Horner's decisions, from the team he forms to the engines he uses for the cars, are pivotal for success.
He earns a modest US$10 million per year in salary and does not get endorsement deals like the racing drivers on his team do, but for the lack of sensation as a boss of a racing team you make up for in longevity.
Horner has been the team leader of Red Bull since 2005 and has led them to take eight world championships and is estimated to be worth US$22 million. He is married to Geri Halliwell, Ginger Spice of the Spice Girls, who is estimated to be worth about US$50 million on her own. While no one is privy to how the couple divvies up the household spending, together they do it in style.
How does Lewis Hamilton, F1 world champion, spend his fortune?
Real estate
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Hello
A post shared by geri (@therealgerihalliwell) on Nov 18, 2018 at 5:43am PST
Christian Horner and his family divide their time between a country estate near Banbury, Oxfordshire, and another home in Hertfordshire, which played host to the much-anticipated Spice Girls reunion in 2019.
It is the country house where the family seems to spend most of their time and Halliwell regularly posts on social media giving us a glimpse into their lives.
High-end properties in Oxfordshire are usually valued at GBP10 million (US$11.6 million) and the Horner's residence definitely fits the bill. There are acres of land with stables, a pond big enough to row a boat and enough lawn for Halliwell and her kids to ride a quad bike around.
Inside the house, the kitchen is installed with the quintessential British AGA range of cast iron cookers that can easily cost close to GBP6,000. Eagle eyed fans also spotted a retro jukebox that is priced at GBP16,000.
Cars, what else?
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Power thru the week #midweek #becauseracecar #1963 #1963shelbycobra #shelby #289cobra #accobra #accobra289 #roadster #dragracing #carvintage #carolshelby #oregon : @stephan_bauer #cargirl #carlove @diyautoftw #racecar #americanmuscle
A post shared by LisaRae (@diggymart) on Aug 21, 2019 at 3:44am PDT
Not only is Horner a former Formula 3000 racing driver himself, he comes from a long line of family members involved with cars. His grandfather worked at the Standard Motor Company in Coventry, before establishing a company with his son, Horner's father, to supply components to motor manufacturers and his love of cars is no surprise.
The Formula One team leader reportedly owns two Infinity Q50s, no doubt for everyday driving but his collection also includes an Aston Martin DB11 and a priceless vintage 1968 Shelby Cobra 289.
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His wife
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I've been re-United with my old friend - MGB roadster - I originally bought her with first spice girl pay cheque.
A post shared by geri (@therealgerihalliwell) on Aug 23, 2016 at 11:10am PDT
It made headlines when the F1 boss gave his blushing bride a vintage Aston Martin DB5 worth around GBP350,000 as a wedding gift. While Halliwell was praised for her tastefully simple engagement ring, their wedding in May 2015 was a lavish affair held at the exclusive Woburn Abbey, the 400-year-old ancestral home of the Duke of Bedford.
The royal country home encompasses more than 28 acres of award-winning gardens and a 3,000-acre deer park. Horner gifted his wife with yet another car, this time it was a vintage MGB roadster that the lucky lady said was the same version she first bought with her first Spice Girl pay cheque.
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