Horner may face disrepute charge as FIA and F1 consider investigation

Governing bodies want Red Bull to provide more transparency about its investigation into the conduct of the world champions’ team principal

Formula One’s governing bodies will meet on Friday to discuss next steps following the explosive leaking of alleged evidence from the investigation that cleared Christian Horner of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague.
It is believed the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile and Formula One Management may be looking at the threat of a possible disrepute charge in an effort to get Red Bull to provide more transparency.
Horner, the beleaguered Red Bull team principal, was back in the Formula One paddock on Friday before qualifying for Saturday’s season-opening race. As the matter is an internal disciplinary procedure, neither he nor the team have been willing to make any comment regarding any aspect of the evidence.
But following intense pressure from rival teams for more “transparency”, and with scores of messages allegedly showing exchanges between Horner and a female colleague now having leaked into the public domain, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali are aware of the need to try to assert some leadership.
Both were on the extensive list of F1 personnel, team principals and media who were sent the messages by anonymous email at around 3pm GMT on Thursday.
With their respective legal teams having looked at the messages, it is understood both bodies would like to see the full report compiled for Red Bull by its independent specialist barrister.
It seems doubtful that Red Bull will share that. In its statement clearing Horner on Wednesday Red Bull GmbH said it was satisfied that its process had been “fair, rigorous and impartial”.
But it insisted that it would not share the report, which is understood to run to hundreds of pages, as it was “confidential and contained the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation”.
One possible regulatory lever the FIA has is to launch its own investigation using the threat of a disrepute charge. It could try to force Red Bull to hand over the report – under strict confidentiality – to satisfy itself that all is above board.
Article 12.2.1.c of the International Sporting Code states competitors will be deemed to have committed an offence for: “Any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any Competition or to the interests of motor sport generally.”
If Red Bull refuse to co-operate, the FIA could cite Article 12.2.1.g which states that “any failure to co-operate in an investigation” will be deemed to be an offence.