‘More transparency’ over Horner needed – Wolff

Formula 1
Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian HornerGetty Images

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has called for “more transparency” from Red Bull after the company rejected a complaint against Christian Horner.

A female colleague had complained about inappropriate behaviour from Red Bull’s team principal.

The company said they had “dismissed” the grievance after a “fair, rigorous and impartial” investigation.

“As a sport, we can’t afford to leave things vague and opaque on critical topics like this,” said Wolff.

“It’s going to catch us out.”

The statement from a Red Bull spokesperson on Wednesday gave no details of the investigation.

The spokesperson 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.”

Wolff said: “There is a lady in an organisation who has spoken to HR and said there is an issue and it was investigated and yesterday the sport has received a message: ‘It’s all fine, we’ve looked at it.’ As a global sport on such critical topics, it needs more transparency.”

McLaren Racing chief executive officer Zak Brown said he believed governing body the FIA should ask Red Bull for full details of the investigation.

“The sanctioning body has a responsibility and authority to our sport and fans,” said Brown.

“All of us in F1 are ambassadors for the sport on and off the track. They need to make sure that things have been fully transparent with them, that they come to the same conclusion that has been given by Red Bull and they they agree with the outcome.

“Until then, there will continue to be speculation because there are a lot of unanswered questions about the whole process.”

Horner, 50, has always denied the allegations and added on Thursday after arriving at the Bahrain track: “I am pleased the process is over but I obviously can’t comment on it.”

An FIA spokesman said: “Red Bull gave assurances in their statement that their investigation was thorough. It is an internal employment matter.”

Under the International Sporting Code, the FIA has the power to remove the licences of competitors who breach its guidelines.

Article 12.2 of the ISC outlaws any actions “that cause moral injury or loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members or its executive officers, and more generally on the interest of motor sport and on the values defended by the FIA”.

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