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.
The email was sent to several key figures in the sport, including F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Horner’s fellow team principals, as well as members of the accredited media. ahead of this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
The explosive tranche contained hundreds of messages, many of which were sexual in nature, and was released about 24 hours after an independent investigation cleared Geri Halliwell’s husband of displaying “coercive behavior.”
Horner had previously expressed relief at the completion of the process, but under the sport’s guidelines, the 50-year-old could still find himself under greater scrutiny.
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.”
Christian Horner could still be questioned by the FIA due to a little-known clause in its code
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem was one of the recipients of the anonymous email.
The batch of files, including hundreds of messages, was also sent to Formula One group CEO Stefano Domenicali.
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”.
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.
“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.
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.
The Red Bull boss continued to strongly deny the allegations after his team’s parent company formally cleared him of misconduct on Wednesday.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was among the voices in the sport calling for greater transparency about the investigation.
‘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.