Hundreds of evidence were sent to news reporters following an accusation made by a colleague due to Horner's inappropriate conduct. Mohammed Ben Sulayem was believed to interfere a Formula One race result last season.
Global news outlets said on February 5 that Christian Horner was the subject of an official inquiry after he was accused of acting in a "inappropriate" manner with a coworker. Red Bull issued a second statement on February 9, four days later, confirming that Horner was under investigation by an outside, independent legal firm. On the same day, Horner was questioned by an attorney engaged in the probe. Horner made an appearance at Red Bull's vehicle introduction on February 15 and then took a plane to Bahrain for pre-season testing five days later.
We were then dealt a devastating blow on February 28 when Red Bull declared that the "independent investigation into the allegations against Mr. Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed." Horner was given permission to return to leading Red Bull Racing.
Motorsport magazines leaped upon the news, claiming almost instantaneously that Horner had been "cleared," even if that was questionable. Attorneys carefully consider what they say; if Horner had been declared innocent or cleared of all charges, the attorneys would have made it obvious. Instead, the investigation's dismissal only signifies its conclusion; no finding of guilt or innocence was made.
The next day, journalists covering motorsports reportedly received a Google Drive link from an unidentified email address with copies of WhatsApp communications that had been used in the investigation along with pornographic photographs. It's unclear whether these communications are genuine and no one has been able to verify them up to this point. Included in the email correspondence were F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and the sender had access to a list of journalists who held hard cards.
Over the course of the weekend, several individuals shared their opinions over the Horner predicament. When questioned about the fiasco, driver Max Verstappen was stolid; he declined to address any specifics of the accusations, instead stating that the connection between him and Horner and the team environment was "good." However, Max's father, Jos, has adopted a considerably more assertive attitude, calling for Horner's dismissal and told the Daily Mail that "tension here remains while he remains in position." There's a chance the squad may fall apart. Things cannot continue as they are. It's going to blow up. Even though he is the one creating the issues, he is acting the victim."
The meeting in Dubai may also put an end to speculations that Jos told those close to him that his son would leave Red Bull if Horner remained the team principal.
Traditionally a mainstay on the F1 paddock during his son's career, Max's father has chosen not to travel to the next race in Jeddah due to growing tensions within Red Bull and a shifting narrative. Even if he isn't there, talks about him are certain to dominate the run-up to the second race of the Formula One season.
A allegation Ben Sulayem made it plain that a penalty given to Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last year should be rescinded has been the subject of an FIA ethics committee probe, as originally reported by the BBC.
What happened at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last season?
Alonso, who overtook pole-sitter Perez to take the lead after starting the race in P2, was handed a five-second time penalty for starting incorrectly after positioning himself too much to the left of his grid box.
After his teammate Lance Stroll went down on the 19th lap, the Spaniard served his penalty beneath a safety car. However, he was then given an additional 10-second penalty.
Alonso referred to the FIA's judgment as a "poor show" because he did not get his punishment until after the race and celebrations were over.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the FIA stated, "The FIA confirms that the Compliance Officer has received a report detailing potential allegations involving certain members of its governing bodies."
"The Compliance Department is assessing these concerns, as is common practice in these matters, to ensure that due process is meticulously followed."
The Spanish driver, who had been leading the race after Mercedes' George Russell and Red Bull's Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen, plummeted to fourth place after receiving a 10-second penalty.
Ben Sulayem may face more accusations, one of which concerns the certification procedure of the Las Vegas Grand Prix track from the previous year.
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