FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali are set to have a discussion regarding the ongoing investigation surrounding Christian Horner. The investigation was launched by Red Bull GmbH in response to a complaint from a female employee regarding Horner’s behavior. Despite Horner denying any wrongdoing, the investigation has taken a significant turn.
On February 28, Red Bull announced that they would not be filing a disciplinary complaint against Horner after an external lawyer conducted a thorough investigation. However, on February 29, numerous individuals received a Google Drive link containing alleged evidence. The evidence included purported WhatsApp conversations involving F1 team managers, the FIA, the media, and Formula 1, sent from an anonymous email address.
It is important to note that the authenticity of these messages has not been verified. This unexpected development has brought attention to a situation that Red Bull believed to have been resolved with the dismissal of their team principal following the internal investigation. To address the recent developments, FIA President and F1 CEO will be meeting in Bahrain soon. Christian Horner has also been summoned to attend this meeting.
The investigation surrounding Christian Horner seems to be an ongoing saga, with new revelations emerging regularly. On March 1, a meeting between Horner and Stefano Domenicali, the President of Formula 1, was scheduled. However, neither Ben Sulayem nor Domenicali have made any official comments regarding the current situation.
It is worth noting that the International Sporting Code primarily focuses on on-track incidents and is typically applied to drivers. While the maximum fine for F1 has increased to €1 million for 2024, the specified penalties still allow for suspension or exclusion in cases of serious offenses. The administration of these sanctions lies with the ASN (National Sporting Authority), not the FIA or the stewards, which further complicates the legal situation.
Furthermore, the Formula 1 regulations contain provisions outlining penalties for misconduct. As the investigation into Horner’s case remains open, new information continues to emerge. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Team Principal.