F1 bosses to to meet and address Horner controversy ahead of new season
F1 and FIA bosses will meet in Bahrain to determine how best to address the Christian Horner controversy.
Ahead of the 2024 Formula 1 season opener in Bahrain, a dark cloud hangs over reigning champion team Red Bull and its principal Christian Horner.
An unnamed female employee recently lodged an unspecified complaint against Horner, prompting an investigation by Red Bull GmbH that ultimately dismissed her grievance.
However, with details of the matter leaked just days before lights out in Sakhir, the controversy now threatens to overshadow the start of a new F1 campaign.
Consequently, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem are set to meet in Bahrain to address the situation.
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Their discussion aims to determine how best to respond to leaked email evidence potentially related to the woman's complaint against Horner.
Mercedes' Toto Wolff and McLaren's Zak Brown have already called for greater clarity and action from F1 authorities regarding the leaks.
The email in question contained 79 files, mainly purported WhatsApp conversations between Horner and the woman at the center of this controversy.
While Horner issued a statement refusing to comment on "private speculation", the leaks seem to contradict Red Bull GmbH’s description of a “fair, rigorous and impartial” investigation that warranted no further details being released.
With the email received by nearly 150 recipients, including both Domenicali and Ben Sulayem, the need to take control of this distracting issue before lights out in Sakhir is abundantly clear.
The question that remains is what course of action the F1 and FIA chiefs will decide to pursue in relation to Horner and Red Bull.
Will they conduct an independent investigation to verify facts? Demand full disclosure from the team? Or simply issue warnings against allowing personal matters to undermine the sport’s image?
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