F1’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix weekend was overshadowed by the state of affairs involving Horner, who was investigated by Crimson Bull’s power drinks firm within the wake of allegations made towards him by a feminine worker.
Following an eight-week investigation by an impartial lawyer, the complaints have been dismissed and Horner was cleared of wrongdoing.
However that has not proved to be the tip of the matter. On Thursday in Bahrain, an nameless supply despatched a file of alleged proof to senior FIA and F1 personnel, together with workforce principals and the media.
Then, simply hours after Crimson Bull delivered a 1-2 within the race, Jos Verstappen launched a broadside towards Horner stating that the world champion squad dangers “being torn aside” if Horner stays.
The best way that the Horner controversy has taken the main focus away from the beginning of the brand new season has alarmed senior figures throughout the sport, and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has publicly admitted that it’s “damaging” for F1.
Nevertheless, regardless of solutions that the Horner state of affairs was one thing that the FIA wanted to research to make sure transparency and integrity, Ben Sulayem instructed the governing physique couldn’t do something until there was a proper grievance.
However it is a stance that Wolff feels will not be essentially right, as he believes that the problems at stake listed here are so vital that it could be unsuitable for Crimson Bull’s rivals to be pressured to make a stand – as a result of that will devalue the significance of what’s at play.
Talking in Bahrain, Wolff mentioned: “I feel the second I begin to proceed to query how this has been dealt with, I am most likely not doing any good to the entire subject.
Christian Horner, Group Principal, Crimson Bull Racing, Toto Wolff, Group Principal and CEO, Mercedes AMG
Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Photographs
“Then it might be seen that that is nearly an influence struggle inside F1. That is why I feel it is not within the groups’ fingers.
“It is a lot a much bigger subject, that I do not wish to diminish the entire state of affairs by making it appear to be the Mercedes or McLaren man talks concerning the Crimson Bull guys.
“Let’s have a look at the place it goes within the subsequent days. I might very a lot hope that the governing physique, the sanctioning physique and the industrial rights holder set the compass proper.”
Whereas FIA sources have indicated that its reluctance to behave unilaterally is as a result of it views the matter totally as an inside drawback for Crimson Bull, Wolff doesn’t see it that means.
He feels that how F1 as a complete responds to allegations of inappropriate behaviour offers a marker for its standing within the wider world.
“I feel the dealing with of the state of affairs could be very crucial for F1,” he mentioned. “It is not within the fingers of rivals to have any motion, and we should always take a look at ourselves when it comes to what’s it we are able to do as a way to optimise on all of those subjects: equality and variety. That is what we’re doing.
“I am very proud that we’re on the forefront of that. To evaluate about one other individual or one other workforce, it is the governing physique that wants to try this. They’ve it of their hand. And that is most likely the place we have to take a look at.”
