System 1 chief government Stefano Domenicali and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem are to satisfy on Friday to debate the investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour in opposition to Crimson Bull group principal Christian Horner.
Horner reiterated his denial of allegations of inappropriate behaviour after materials purporting to be the alleged proof within the investigation into his conduct was leaked on Thursday through the second follow session on the Bahrain GP.
On Wednesday, Crimson Bull GmbH, the father or mother firm of System 1’s reigning constructors’ champions, had introduced the grievance made in opposition to Horner by a feminine colleague had been dismissed. The claimant retains the fitting to attraction.
Horner denied the allegations all through the method and remained in his twin roles of group principal and chief government whereas the exterior investigation was carried out by a specialist barrister.
Horner continues to be within the paddock forward of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix after saying he wouldn’t add to the assertion he gave on Thursday.
With Horner current for the second follow session in Bahrain, materials purporting to be the alleged proof within the investigation was leaked to quite a few media organisations and F1 group principals from an nameless e mail account.
In a while Thursday night, a group spokesperson learn a press release from Horner to gathered media on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit. The spokesperson stated the assertion was “not representative of Red Bull Racing”.
“I won’t comment on anonymous speculation but to reiterate, I have always denied the allegations,” the assertion stated.
“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 stay absolutely centered on the beginning of the season.”
Red Bull GmbH’s statement said that it was confident the external investigation had been “truthful, rigorous and neutral”.
The Austrian firm added: “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.”
On Thursday morning, Horner had given his first interview for the reason that allegations had been dismissed, telling Sky Sports activities Information that he was “pleased that the process is over” and that the group was “focused on the season ahead”.
Wolff, Brown name for F1 bosses to evaluate Horner investigation
The investigation into the allegations in opposition to Horner have dominated the build-up to the brand new F1 season, overshadowing the beginning of Crimson Bull’s defence of the constructors’ title and Max Verstappen’s quest for a fourth successive drivers’ crown.
Earlier than the leak of the alleged investigation materials, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and McLaren’s Zak Brown had earlier on Thursday known as on System 1 and the FIA to evaluate the Crimson Bull investigation.
Mercedes group principal Wolff stated: “Well I just read the statement, which was pretty basic, I would say.
“My private opinion is we won’t actually look behind the scenes. On the finish of the day, there’s a woman in an organisation that has spoken to HR and stated there is a matter. It was investigated and yesterday the game has obtained a message, ‘it is all effective. We have checked out it.’
“And I believe that with the aspirations as a global sport, on such critical topics, it needs more transparency and I wonder what the sport’s position is.
“We’re opponents, we’re a group and we will have our personal private opinions or not, however it’s extra like a basic response or motion that we as a sport have to assess what is correct in that scenario and what’s fallacious.”
McLaren chief executive Brown had joined Wolff during last week’s pre-season testing in calling for transparency and urgency with the investigation, and this time said that more information was required for the sport to “be capable to draw a line underneath” the situation.
“I learn this assertion. I believe from what I’ve seen there continues to be quite a lot of rumours and hypothesis, questions,” Brown said.
“I believe the sanctioning physique has a accountability and authority to our sport, to our officers. I believe all of us in System 1 are ambassadors for the game on and off the observe, such as you see in different sports activities, and so I believe they should be sure that issues have been absolutely clear with them.
“And I don’t know what those conversations are and that needs to be thorough, fully transparent, and that they come to the same conclusion that has been given by Red Bull, and that they’ve agreed with the outcome.
“However I believe till then, there’ll proceed to be hypothesis as a result of there are quite a lot of unanswered questions on the entire course of.
“So I think that’s what’s needed by those that run the sport to really be able to draw a line under it. Until then, I think there’ll continue to be some level of speculation by people and I don’t think that’s healthy for the sport.”
System 1 launched a press release on February 18 urging Crimson Bull to make clear the scenario on the earliest potential alternative, whereas the game’s governing physique, the FIA, a day later stated that it could not remark till the investigation was concluded.
Neither System 1 or the FIA had made any additional touch upon Crimson Bull’s investigation into the allegations in opposition to Horner on the time of his assertion on Thursday night.
How Horner investigation developed
Horner has been in command of Crimson Bull Racing because it shaped in 2005 and has led the squad to seven drivers’ titles and 6 constructors’ triumphs in 19 seasons.
He attended an interview on February 9 with the exterior specialist barrister finishing up the investigation, however no decision on the matter was reached at that stage.
Attending the group’s automobile launch six days later at their Milton Keynes base, Horner addressed the media for the primary time after the allegations had grow to be public, and reiterated his denial.
He additionally spoke within the group bosses’ press convention throughout pre-season testing on February 23 earlier than Crimson Bull GmbH cleared Horner after allegations of inappropriate behaviour made in opposition to him.
Having returned the UK after testing, Horner flew again out to Bahrain on Wednesday forward of the opening classes of the season on Thursday forward of Saturday’s race.