The Red Bull Formula 1 team seems to have emerged victorious in the case against their accuser, who alleged inappropriate behavior on the part of Horner. This occurred when he arrived at the Bahrain Grand Prix, the season opener, being acquitted of all charges by the team’s parent company. This happened after a thorough and intense internal investigation conducted by the company.
An unidentified email was sent to the heads of F1 and the FIA, as well as the major F1 teams. It contained several WhatsApp messages, including screenshots allegedly from Horner’s and the accuser’s cell phones. However, the authenticity of these messages still needs to be established.
This seems to be a form of revenge, indicating deep divisions within the Red Bull team. Horner was clearly the target of a relentless attack, from which he managed to survive and even triumph. However, 24 hours later, it is becoming evident that his position as team principal is once again in jeopardy.
Reports suggest that Jos Verstappen, Max Verstappen’s father, also received these emails. He was seen in the team’s pit garage during Friday’s free practice for the season opener in Bahrain.
According to Motorsport.com, the emails contained a link to a Google Drive file with the attached documents. The email said: “Following the recent investigation and statements from Red Bull, you will be interested in seeing the attached materials.”
Horner responded to the new accusations with the following statement: “I will not comment on anonymous speculation, but I want to reiterate that I have always denied these allegations. I have respected the integrity of the independent investigation and fully cooperated throughout the process. The investigation, conducted by an independent legal expert, was thorough and fair, and concluded by rejecting the claim. I am fully focused on the start of the season.”
A day earlier, Red Bull’s headquarters in Austria cleared Horner and initiated the independent investigation. They stated: “The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr. Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the claim has been rejected. The claimant has the right to appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation was fair, rigorous, and impartial. The investigation report contains confidential information about the parties involved and third parties who assisted in the investigation. Therefore, we will not make any further comments out of respect for all parties involved. Red Bull will continue to strive for the highest standards of work.”
The investigation is still ongoing…
