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Just a day after being cleared of any misguided behaviour through an external investigation, Red Bull Formula 1 team principal Christian Horner reiterated that he denies allegations of wrongdoing.
It comes after allegedly leaked messages were distributed to members of the F1 network, containing a Google WhatsApp message reader, on Thursday. They were emailed anonymously to race officials, teams and leading journalists around the world.
Phil Duncan, a CNN contributor and F1 correspondent for the Press Association, won the record thanks to an unknown account.
“We have carried out an investigation and Christian Horner was exonerated through Red Bull’s parent company, but WhatsApp messages were sent last night to almost 150 members of the Formula 1 paddock, including the team’s other nine executives,” FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and also members of the media,” Duncan told CNN Sport on Friday.
“This is an investigation into Horner that you may have thought was over on Wednesday night when he arrived, but has changed drastically 24 hours later.
Horner is recently in Bahrain for the first race of the 2024 F1 season on Saturday.
Google’s drive comprises 79 separate files purporting to be documents similar to the investigation and recent statements, according to the email. CNN has not been able to corroborate its authenticity.
“They haven’t been 100 per cent verified, but Horner has not denied at this point that they came from him,” Duncan added.
“I will not comment on anonymous speculation,” Horner said on Thursday, according to Reuters, after the delivery of the email.
“But again, I have denied those allegations. I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and cooperated fully every step of the way.
“This is a thorough and fair investigation carried out by an independent specialist lawyer and has resulted in the dismissal of the complaint filed. I’m still totally focused on the start of the season.
In relation to the mass email, Red Bull told CNN: “This is a personal matter between Mr Horner and someone else and it is beside the point for Red Bull to comment on that. “
An independent investigation launched through Red Bull in February after Horner was accused of behaving inappropriately with a member of the racing team, who has not been identified. This week, the investigation cleared Horner of any wrongdoing.
“The independent investigation into the allegations against Mr. Horner has ended and Red Bull can verify that the complaint has been dismissed,” Red Bull said in a statement released on Wednesday.
Duncan adds that even if Horner thinks he can get away with it, it’s possible that the FIA (Formula 1’s governing body) will take the stage away from him if they do more and this new progression has completely replaced the stage.
Duncan also believes this story will continue beyond this race weekend.
“It might happen a little bit more. It’s not something that just happens. Certainly, the feeling here in Bahrain is that this case can go on and on and on and it’s just a question of whether we will get a quick solution and whether the line is fully drawn and whether Christian Horner is allowed to continue in his post or whether the tension becomes too intense. For him and for Red Bull Racing he has to resign,” he said.
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