Free of charge real-time breaking information alerts despatched straight to your inbox, join our publication publication
Join our free e-mail updates
Sky F1 pundit Naomi Schiff says she is “saddened” by the present saga surrounding Christian Horner, which has “solid a shadow” over the opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
Horner, the Crimson Bull F1 boss, was cleared of “inappropriate conduct” on Wednesday following a three-week inner investigation led by an outdoor lawyer following allegations by a feminine colleague, which Horner vehemently denied.
Nonetheless, simply 24 hours later, WhatsApp texts and pictures – a few of a sexually suggestive nature, allegedly displaying conversations between Horner and the complainant – had been leaked from an nameless supply to outstanding sports activities figures and members of the media. The Impartial has seen the leaked materials, a Google Drive with 79 separate paperwork, however is unable to confirm the authenticity of the content material.
Horner's spouse, Spice Lady pop star Geri Horner, touched down in Bahrain forward of Saturday's race and Schiff, a former W Collection driver and common Sky F1 correspondent, spoke of his “unhappiness” on the ongoing growth.
“I believe within the first 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 forward of qualifying in Bahrain on Friday.
“However on the finish of the day, we’ve got 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.
“On the finish of the day, it's additionally a human story, and there's a little bit of unhappiness in all of it. There are individuals who will probably be affected. This matter shouldn’t have been dealt with the way in which it was.”
Schiff's Sky colleague Martin Brundle additionally known as for the scenario to be dropped at an “absolute conclusion”.
Naomi Schiff has spoken of her “unhappiness” over Christian Horner's ongoing scenario
(Getty Photographs)
It’s at present unclear whether or not the alleged exchanges had been a part of the investigation or are new proof. Horner was current within the F1 paddock in Bahrain on Friday, forward of the primary race of the 2024 season this weekend.
Horner, 50, met Ben Sulay and Domenicali on the Bahrain circuit on Friday and advised reporters within the paddock: “I cannot touch upon nameless hypothesis from unknown sources.”
Horner first responded to the most recent growth with a short assertion on Thursday night: “I cannot touch upon nameless hypothesis, however I repeat that I’ve all the time denied these allegations. I revered the integrity of the unbiased investigation and cooperated totally with it each step of the way in which.
“This was an intensive and honest investigation carried out by an unbiased specialist solicitor and resulted within the criticism being dismissed. I stay totally centered on the beginning of the season.”
Horner is current within the paddock in Bahrain on Friday
(AP)
The Impartial contacted Crimson Bull GmbH, the mother or father firm of Crimson Bull Racing, for additional remark, to which they replied: “It is a non-public matter between Mr Horner and one other and it might not be acceptable for Crimson Bull to touch upon it.
Horner may but discover himself in scorching water with the game's governing physique, the FIA, with Ben Sulayem discussing the matter with Domenicali on Friday in Bahrain.
All these participating in Formulation 1 should observe a set of rules, with Article 12.2 stating {that a} competitor may be caught in breach of the code for: “Any phrases, acts or writings which trigger ethical damage or loss to the FIA, its organs, its members or government officers and extra usually on the curiosity of motor sport and on the values defended by the FIA.”
Earlier on Thursday, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and McLaren CEO Zak Brown known as on F1 and the FIA to evaluate the Crimson Bull-led investigation.
