According to reports, crucial information was leaked to Formula 1 staff on Thursday, intensifying the controversy surrounding the investigation into Red Bull’s Christian Horner.
A set of documents purportedly related to the case were shared by two anonymous email addresses a few days after Horner was cleared of all charges after accusations made by a female employee. The email subject line read, “Following Red Bull’s recent investigation and statements, you will be interested to see the materials attached.” It also included a link to a Google Drive file. This distribution was made to almost one hundred Formula 1 individuals, which included team principals, prominent figures from the industry, approved media, and even Max Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen of Red Bull.
Red Bull made public a statement attributed to Horner from the Bahrain paddock, but they declined to verify the veracity of the report. Horner restated his refusal to accept responsibility for the allegations and his desire to work with the impartial inquiry. Even after the investigation’s findings discounted the complaint, he remained unwavering and concentrated on the next season.
Even though the documents’ authenticity was still questionable, the fact that they were widely circulated among F1 fans suggested a deliberate attempt to discredit Horner despite his clearance. The public disclosure that followed a complaint from a female employee suggested that there were ulterior motives at play, potentially as a result of power struggles within Red Bull’s ownership hierarchy.
The timing suggested a purposeful attempt to damage Horner’s reputation and was consistent with F1 events. At the same time, rival teams asked the FIA and Formula One management for more information about Red Bull’s handling of the situation. McLaren CEO Zak Brown emphasized the need for clarity and transparency within the sport, urging the governing bodies to ensure accountability to stakeholders and fans alike.
