Christian Horner faces fresh calls for transparency from Red Bull partner Honda… as they demand ‘full clarity’ over team boss’s ‘sex texts’ scandal after his accuser was suspended over ‘dishonesty’
Red Bull Racing’s current engine partner, Honda, has called for more transparency over the independent investigation that cleared Christian Horner of wrongdoing by Red Bull GmbH.
The Japanese company released a statement to the BBC on Thursday evening saying it looks forward to further “clarity.”
Meanwhile, Horner has arrived at the track in Jeddah ahead of Friday’s qualifying session for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
“We do not have full details on the matter at this time,” Honda’s statement read, “therefore Honda is not in a position to comment in detail.
“We look forward to complete clarity as soon as possible.”
Christian Horner arrived at the Corniche Circuit in Jeddah on Friday after Honda called for ‘complete clarity’ in the investigation that cleared him of wrongdoing
The 50-year-old was at the center of a scandal that engulfed the sport after he was initially acquitted over the anonymous release of a series of leaked texts and photos allegedly sent by Horner to the female employee involved in the investigation. .
Horner has denied the allegations and stated that he will not comment on “anonymous speculation from unknown sources.”
The employee was suspended from her role at Red Bull on Thursday as a direct result of the investigation, with Mail Sport revealing she had been told her evidence was ‘dishonest’.
Honda is not the only team partner to have shared a public statement about the Horner investigation and its aftermath. Future engine supplier Ford said in February – while the investigation was still ongoing – that it expects ‘high standards of conduct’.
Mark Rushbrook, global head of Ford Performance Motorsport, said: “As a family-owned business and a company that adheres to very high standards of conduct and integrity, we expect the same from our partners.
‘It seems to us, and what we were told, was that Red Bull is taking the situation very seriously. And of course they are also concerned about their brand.
“And that’s why they have an independent investigation and until we see what truth comes out of that, it’s too early for us to comment on that.”
But the company remained silent on subsequent revelations about the alleged WhatsApps, with Ford refusing to comment when contacted by Mail Sport last Thursday.