By Tamara Prenn
Christian Horner could still be found breaching an obscure clause in Formula One’s International Sporting Code after a series of inappropriate texts and photographs, which appeared to be between the Red Bull team principal and an employee, were circulated anonymously on Thursday. late.
He FIA International Sporting Code contains a subsection of an article that hints at the moral responsibility that competitors have toward the organization and highlights that violation of its rules is “punishable, whether (…) committed intentionally or through negligence.”
Article 12.2.1f states that a competitor could be declared in breach of its code for: “Any word, deed or writing that has caused damage or moral loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members or its executive officers, and more.” in general, of the interest of motor sport and the values ​​defended by the FIA”.
Horner vowed to fight on within hours of the scandal deepening and is now preparing for tomorrow’s Bahrain GP.
Whether the FIA ​​wants its own investigation launched into the alleged texts and photographs, the handling of the investigation by Horner and Red Bull, or the impact the media storm could be having on how the sport is viewed, if the email email has brought F1 into disrepute could be examined, with possible sanctions.
Some of Horner’s teammates were initially dissatisfied with the team’s parent company’s statement in clarifying to the team boss on Wednesday, which emphasized that its investigation led by KC was “confidential.”
Neither the sport’s owners, Liberty Media nor the FIA ​​have seen the 150-page report, and the Mercedes team principal was one of the first to call for greater transparency about the investigation.
Horner and Geri Halliwell at the Larkhill Royal Artillary point to point
It is said to be “very unlikely” that Halliwell will fly to Bahrain to join her husband. Pictured: Her wedding day in 2015.
“I think that with the aspiration of being a global sport, on such critical issues, more transparency is needed and I wonder where the sport stands.” Wolff told reporters.
‘We are competitors, we are a team and we may or may not have our own personal opinions. But it’s more of a general reaction or action that we, as a sport, have to evaluate, what is right and what is wrong in that situation.
‘Are we speaking with the correct moral approach, with the values ​​based on the speculation that exists?’
McLaren chief executive Zak Brown echoed his comments, advocating for the sport’s owners and organizers to “ensure that all racing teams, staff, drivers and everyone else involved in the sport are operating in a way that we all live by.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem was one of the recipients of the anonymous email.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was among the voices in the sport calling for greater transparency about the investigation.
Following the circulated email, Horner made a point of stating that his “full concentration” was on the upcoming race weekend.
“I will not comment on anonymous speculation,” Horner said, “but, to reiterate, I have always denied the allegations.”
‘I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and cooperated fully with it every step of the way.
‘It was a thorough and fair investigation, carried out by an independent specialist lawyer, and concluded by dismissing the complaint filed.
“I remain fully focused on the start of the season.”
A Red Bull GmbH spokesperson called the development a “private matter” in a brief statement.
“This is a private matter between Mr Horner and it would be inappropriate for Red Bull to comment on this,” his letter said.