Martin Brundle has referred to as for the most recent allegations surrounding Christian Horner to be dropped at an “absolute conclusion”, with the Pink Bull boss's future again within the highlight on the eve of the System 1 season in Bahrain.
Horner was cleared to proceed as Pink Bull group boss after an inner investigation into allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” by a feminine colleague – however on Thursday leaked WhatsApp messages and pictures, a few of a sexually suggestive nature, prompted Horner to repeat his full denials. cost.
Horner, who’s married to Spice Woman member Geri Halliwell, met FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulay and F1 chief govt Stefano Domenicali on Friday after returning to the paddock in Bahrain forward of the primary race of the 2024 season this weekend.
Brundle stated on Thursday that the decision on the Pink Bull investigation had “drawn a line on the entire thing” – however the leaked materials, despatched by an nameless supply and purported to point out conversations between Horner and the complainant, overshadowed the beginning of the matter. F1 season.
Brundle reappeared on Sky Sports activities after the tip of follow on Friday and stated he was “very unhappy” System 1 was making headlines for the mistaken causes and referred to as for the most recent allegations to be addressed.
“I believe it's indeniable that System 1 is on the entrance pages, all around the web, all around the world, and it's not in regards to the races or who's going to win this grand prix,” Brundle stated.
“I believe there's little question that it's not good for F1, what's occurring, and I consider that some steps have to be taken to maneuver it ahead and produce it to an absolute conclusion.”
“As I stated earlier within the week, this appears like the start of a narrative quite than the tip of it. However we'll have to attend and see. All allegations had been denied. It's only a horrible scenario any means you have a look at it.”
Brundle didn’t communicate to Horner however the Pink Bull boss addressed members of the press when he arrived within the paddock on Friday. Horner stated he wouldn’t “touch upon nameless hypothesis from unknown sources” and that he remained centered on racing forward of the beginning of qualifying in a while Friday.
Neither F1 nor the FIA have commented on the allegations, however Ben Sulayem was resulting from focus on the matter with Domenicali on Friday. Horner might nonetheless discover himself in sizzling water with the game's governing physique, the FIA, over System 1 laws. Different group principals, akin to Mercedes group principal Toto Wolff, have referred to as on F1 and the FIA to overview the Pink Bull-led investigation.
Naomi Schiff, Brundle's Sky Sports activities colleague and former W Sequence driver, additionally reacted to the most recent improvement.
“I echo loads of Martin's sentiments and I believe coming into the primary race of the season the place there was a lot pleasure round it, it's an actual disgrace that it casts a shadow over the weekend,” she stated.
“However on the finish of the day, we’ve to keep in mind that that is an inner firm investigation. We don't have all the data. So we'll go away it at that.
“It's additionally a human story and there's a sure disappointment to all of it. There are individuals who will likely be affected – this matter shouldn’t have been dealt with the way in which it was.”
