A series of leaked messages alleged to involve Christian Horner have been sent to Formula One’s governing body the FIA. It comes after an anonymous email with a link to the messages was sent to F1 personnel and media on Thursday.
Horner was cleared of inappropriate behaviour by Red Bull on Wednesday. It came after a lengthy investigation into the team principal’s conduct, which Red Bull insist was entirely independent.
The 50-year-old and others involved in the investigation are claimed to have been interviewed by an independent lawyer. The details of the investigation were never made public and it has been reported that it had been going on for several weeks prior to the story being broken on February 5.
A day after Horner was cleared, a series of alleged messages purporting to involve Horner were leaked to F1 personnel and media. Express Sport has seen the content of the messages and Red Bull have been contacted for comment.
According to BBC Sport, the messages have been passed on to the FIA who are reportedly set to hold talks with Formula One Management chiefs over the matter.
Asked for comment on the leaked alleged messages, Horner said in Bahrain on Thursday: “I won’t comment on anonymous speculation. But, to reiterate, I have always denied the allegations.”
In a statement issued after he was cleared, Horner said: “I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and fully cooperated with it every step of the way.
“It was a thorough and fair investigation conducted by an independent specialist barrister and it has concluded, dismissing the complaint made. I remain fully focused on the start of the season.”
A spokesperson for Red Bull GmbH, the parent company of the F1 team, said on Thursday: “This is a private matter between Mr Horner and another and it would be inappropriate for Red Bull to comment on this.”
Amid mounting pressure from partners and others inside F1, Red Bull completed their investigation into Horner this week and issued their verdict that he had been cleared. They say that the probe was “fair, rigorous and impartial”.
“Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial,” a statement said.
“The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned. Red Bull will continue striving to meet the highest workplace standards.”
