Bahrain – Just a day after Christian Horner was cleared of misconduct allegations, a mysterious email containing a dossier of documents related to the case was circulated to over 100 recipients within the Formula 1 community. The email, sent from anonymous addresses, implied that the materials were linked to Red Bull’s recent investigation and statements. Notably, even Jos Verstappen, the father of Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, received the email.
While Red Bull has not confirmed the authenticity of the documents, Horner reiterated his denial of the allegations in a statement read by the team in Bahrain. Despite the conclusion of the independent investigation clearing him, the distribution of the dossier suggests a continued effort by certain individuals to tarnish Horner’s reputation.
The timing and manner of how the documents were disseminated, shortly after the investigation concluded during F1 activities, appear to be a deliberate attempt to discredit Horner. Speculation has arisen about potential power struggles within Red Bull, particularly between its Thai majority owners and the Austrian energy drinks company element, though no official statements have been made.
Rival F1 teams have called for greater transparency from Formula One Management and the FIA in addressing how Red Bull handled the situation. Even McLaren CEO Zak Brown emphasized the need for full transparency in the sport to ensure accountability to fans and all stakeholders.
Overall, the controversy surrounding Horner’s investigation continues to unfold, with lingering questions about motives behind the release of the documents and potential implications for Red Bull’s leadership structure. As the F1 community navigates through these developments, the focus remains on maintaining integrity and transparency within the sport.