As the Formula 1 season kicked off with the Bahrain Grand Prix, concerns are escalating over the handling of the investigation into Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner. The probe was initiated by the energy drinks company following allegations of inappropriate behavior made by a female employee. After an eight-week investigation, an independent barrister dismissed the complaints, citing a lack of evidence of wrongdoing.
However, the situation took a surprising turn during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend when anonymous emails were sent to key F1 personnel, revealing an alleged dossier of documents related to the matter. While the veracity of these documents remains unconfirmed by Red Bull, leaked details have sparked global headlines.
There’s growing unease within both F1 management and the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) about the global attention on the Horner developments overshadowing the start of the grand prix season. The anonymous leaks suggest a campaign to embarrass Horner and force him to step down, potentially lasting weeks.
Christian Horner met with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem ahead of qualifying in Bahrain to discuss the situation and determine the next steps. While the outcome of the meeting remains undisclosed, it appears that the FIA won’t independently intervene to understand the situation better.
Ben Sulayem emphasized the need for caution, stating that the FIA shouldn’t “jump the gun” but assured that the organization would “look into any complaint that comes through our compliance officer.” Despite refraining from immediate involvement, Ben Sulayem expressed concern about the negative impact on F1, describing the situation as “damaging the sport” on both human and promotional levels.
Read More: Leaked Messages Cast Shadow Over Red Bull Racing’s Christian Horner
Red Bull’s lack of transparency regarding the investigation’s findings and the dismissal of complaints has raised suspicions of an attempt to downplay the issue. Rival team bosses, including McLaren CEO Zak Brown, have voiced their unease over the handling of the situation, urging the sanctioning body to ensure transparency and clarity.
As the controversy unfolds, it casts a shadow over the beginning of the F1 season, diverting attention from the excitement of the competition and prompting calls for a more transparent and thorough examination of the allegations against Christian Horner.
