Christian Horner's F1 future is again within the highlight after WhatsApp messages gave the impression to be from him have been leaked.
On Wednesday, Horner was cleared by the F1 staff's guardian firm Pink Bull GmbH to proceed as Pink Bull staff boss following an inner investigation.
However simply 24 hours later, lots of of messages and quite a lot of footage between Horner and the complainant have been despatched from an nameless e-mail account to members of the F1 paddock – together with FIA president Mohamed ben Sulayem, F1 chief govt Stefano Domenicali and 9 others on the grid. staff bosses and the media – on the eve of this 12 months's Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.
It’s unclear at this stage whether or not the alleged exchanges, recorded by the PA information company, have been a part of the investigation – which cleared Horner of “inappropriate conduct” in direction of a feminine colleague – or whether or not they have been new proof.
Horner has at all times denied these claims.
In an announcement on Thursday night time, Horner mentioned: “I cannot touch upon nameless hypothesis, however I repeat that I’ve at all times denied these allegations.
“I revered the integrity of the unbiased investigation and cooperated totally with it each step of the best way.
“This was a radical and honest investigation performed by an unbiased skilled advocate and concluded that the criticism filed was dismissed.
“I stay totally targeted on the beginning of the season.
Horner, 50, was within the Pink Bull pits for each apply classes on Thursday.
The paddock left at 22:47 native time with the staff's chief engineer Adrian Newey.
Horner instructed Sky Sports activities on Thursday: “I'm glad the method is over and I can't touch upon that.
“I'm right here to concentrate on the grand prix and the upcoming season and attempt to defend each our titles.”
Horner added: “I can not provide you with any additional remark however the course of has been carried out and closed.
“I'm completely satisfied to be right here in Bahrain and with the staff to concentrate on the upcoming season. It (unity) has by no means been stronger in a staff.”
Earlier than the alleged exchanges between Horner and the complainant emerged, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff known as on F1 and its governing physique to demand extra transparency within the Pink Bull investigation.
Pink Bull GmbH mentioned it was assured the investigation into Horner was “honest, rigorous and neutral”, however added that the report – operating to 150 pages – was “confidential”.
It’s understood that neither System 1 homeowners Liberty Media nor its regulator the FIA have seen the findings.
However on Thursday night, calls grew in Bahrain for Pink Bull GmbH to share particulars of its investigation.
“I simply learn an announcement that was fairly easy,” Wolff mentioned. “My private opinion is that we actually can't look behind the scenes.
“There’s a woman in a single group who spoke to HR and mentioned there was an issue and it was being investigated and yesterday the game obtained a message that the whole lot was high quality, we regarded into it.
“I imagine that given the aspiration of world sport on such essential points, it wants extra transparency and I’m wondering what’s the place of sport?
“We're opponents, we're a staff, and we could or could not have our personal private opinions. However it’s extra of a normal response or motion that we as a sport want to guage what is true and what’s improper in a given scenario.
“Are we speaking to the fitting ethical strategy, to the values primarily based on the hypothesis that's on the market?
“As a sport, we are able to't afford to maintain issues obscure and opaque on essential matters as a result of we get caught.”
Horner, who protested his innocence throughout the inquest, was questioned by a lawyer for eight hours at a secret London location earlier this month.
Horner has been Pink Bull staff boss since they entered F1 19 years in the past and is the longest serving boss on the grid.
He oversaw seven World Drivers' Championships and 6 Constructors' titles.
Pink Bull has dominated the game in latest seasons, successful 21 of twenty-two races final 12 months, with Dutch driver Max Verstappen setting a brand new document of 10 consecutive victories as he claimed his third title.
Horner, who’s married to former Spice Ladies singer Geri Halliwell, was awarded a CBE for providers to motor sport within the New 12 months honours.
