Sebastian Vettel calls for ‘more transparency’ around Christian Horner ‘sex texts’ scandal at his old team Red Bull as four-time champion says F1 remains ‘an old fashioned business in many ways’ over women

Sebastian Vettel has called for more transparency within Formula 1 amid Christian Horner’s ‘sex texts’ scandal at his former team Red Bull.

The reigning world champion has been embroiled in scandals in the first weeks of the season, with team boss Horner being accused of ‘coercive behavior’ towards a female colleague.

He was cleared in February by an internal Red Bull investigation before several messages between Horner and his accuser were leaked to leading F1 figures and journalists via anonymous email.

The cache contained 79 documents, including hundreds of messages, many of which were of a sexual nature. Horner, the husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, has denied all allegations.

The complainant, who was suspended by Red Bull, feels “very upset, angry, scared, intimidated and lonely” amid the ongoing saga, according to a “friend”.

Former Red Bull world champion Sebastian Vettel has called for ‘more transparency’ surrounding the Horner scandal

Vettel, 36, who won four consecutive championships with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013, said the Horner scandal unfairly overshadowed the team’s work.

“Obviously there’s been a lot of talk since the beginning of the year,” he said Sky News.

‘I think that with these kinds of things it is always difficult to know everything and it would be nice if there was simply more transparency, so that you can really have more of an opinion.

‘I think it’s always difficult when you read one thing, then another and then the opposite. I think things are going around in circles now.

‘It’s a shame that Max (Verstappen) is clearly doing a great job. The team – (including) many people I remember from my time there – do a great job in the background and that is a bit forgotten when the subject turns to something else.”

Asked about the treatment of women in Formula 1, Vettel, who will retire in 2022, said: ‘F1 is changing, but it is an old-fashioned business in many ways.

‘So first of all there weren’t many women working in F1 in his day, but you know, the numbers went up.

“So when I started and when I left, there were a lot more women in the paddock and a lot more women not only following the sport but working in the sport.

“I think that’s a positive change, but actually, like everywhere else, there’s still room for improvement.”

Christian Horner’s accuser feels ‘sad, scared, intimidated and lonely’ after her complaint against the Red Bull chief was dismissed

The saga has left Red Bull in crisis, with fears Max Verstappen could walk away if adviser Helmut Marko (R) was suspended over claims he leaked information

Vettel, who won four consecutive world titles between 2010 and 2013, has not completely ruled out a return to the sport.

Vettel admitted that he has not completely ruled out a comeback to Formula 1, saying: ‘It clearly crosses my mind. I think about it, but it’s not the main idea.

‘I have three children at home, it is busy every day. So there are a lot more thoughts that I have.”

When asked whether he had spoken to Mercedes director Toto Wolff about replacing Lewis Hamilton if he goes to Ferrari, Vettel replied: ‘I am talking to Toto. I don’t know if it falls under the heading Mercedes, but about other things, ideas I have, events I plan in the future.

“I’ve also spoken to a lot of other team leaders, and it’s not just about racing.”