Where is the transparency?
Mercedes boss wants to know what Red Bull boss has done
February 29, 2024, 4:37 p.m
Red Bull sees no reason to take action against team boss Christian Horner. It is unclear which allegations were made and how they were handled. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff clearly criticized this at the start of the Formula 1 season.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has called for more clarity following Red Bull’s decision regarding the allegations against his counterpart Christian Horner. “I think the sport needs more transparency,” said Wolff at a press conference of Formula 1 team bosses before the season opener in Bahrain. “As a sport, we cannot afford to leave things vague and obscure.”
The day before, the parent company Red Bull announced the results of the investigation. An employee’s complaint about Horner’s inappropriate behavior toward her was dismissed, the statement said. “Red Bull is convinced that the investigation was fair, thorough and unbiased,” the company also said. The complaining party has the right to appeal.
The Austrian beverage and media company did not publish details of the investigation. “The investigation report is confidential and contains private information from the parties and third parties who participated in the investigation. Out of respect for everyone involved, Red Bull will not comment further,” it said instead. Horner said after arriving at the Bahrain International Circuit that he was relieved that the trial was over, but had nothing else to say.
You and the organization, i.e. Formula 1, have a duty to look at it and say that it’s okay, emphasized Wolff, who had previously expressed criticism on the matter. McLaren team boss Zak Brown agrees with Wolff’s demands. Formula 1, as the commercial rights holder, and the International Automobile Federation, which is responsible for compliance with the rules, would have to ensure that everything was transparent and that they came to the same conclusion. “The sport needs this to put an end to it, otherwise it’s not healthy for the sport.”
