The president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and the CEO of F1, Stefano Domenicali, are scheduled to have a discussion about the ongoing investigation involving Christian Horner. The investigation was launched by Red Bull GmbH in response to a complaint from an employee about Horner’s behavior. Despite Horner denying any wrongdoing, the investigation has taken a significant turn.
On February 28, Red Bull announced that they would not file a disciplinary complaint against Horner after an external lawyer conducted a thorough investigation. However, on February 29, several people received a Google Drive link containing alleged evidence. The evidence included alleged WhatsApp conversations involving F1 team managers, the FIA, the media, and Formula 1, sent from an anonymous email address.
It is important to note that the authenticity of these messages has not been verified. This unexpected development has brought attention to a situation that Red Bull believed had been resolved with the dismissal of their team principal after an internal investigation. To address the recent developments, the president of the FIA and the CEO of F1 will soon meet in Bahrain. Christian Horner has also been summoned to attend this meeting.
The investigation surrounding Christian Horner appears to be an ongoing saga, with new revelations emerging regularly. On March 1, a meeting between Horner and Stefano Domenicali, president of Formula 1, was scheduled. However, neither Ben Sulayem nor Domenicali have made official comments on the current situation.
It is worth noting that the International Sporting Code primarily focuses on on-track incidents and is usually applied to drivers. Although the maximum fine for F1 has increased to €1 million in 2024, the specified penalties still allow for suspension or exclusion in cases of serious infractions. The administration of these sanctions lies with the ASN (National Sporting Authority), not the FIA or the stewards, further complicating the legal situation.
In addition, the Formula 1 regulations contain provisions that establish penalties for misconduct. As the investigation into Horner’s case remains open, new information continues to emerge. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Team Principal.
