Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has questioned Red Bull for not being more transparent in the investigation into Christian Horner.
Wolff claims the ‘most important’ story has not been discussed after Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing last month.
Horner faced allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague at Red Bull, accusations that he always denied.
An independent investigation found that the 50-year-old did nothing wrong but the saga has clouded the first few weeks of the new F1 season.
Christian Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing by Red Bull last month
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Less than 24 hours after Horner was cleared, an anonymous email address leaked alleged messages and photographs purporting to be evidence in the investigation.
Red Bull have since suspended the female employee, who is said to feel ‘let down’ by the team’s stance.
Wolff and fellow F1 team principals have called for more transparency throughout the process.
And the Mercedes chief has again given his opinion, insisting it isn’t a great look for Red Bull.
Wolff says the biggest story is why the accuser felt the need to raise a complaint against Horner.
He claims Red Bull have tried to keep the situation ‘small’ but that is ‘no longer possible’.
Wolff told Osterreich newspaper: “From the outside, we’re treated to a lot of drama. But for a team like Red Bull, a situation like this isn’t great.
“Not saying everything only makes it more interesting, leading to more questions, more stories, more speculation.
“But there is a real story in the background, and it’s the most important one – why did a woman who felt uncomfortable go to HR? Why hasn’t anything talked about this yet?
“There’s also an information strategy that looks a bit confusing from the outside.
“Generally, I think the Austrians are professional while in England they try to keep everything small, but that’s no longer possible these days.”
Horner has continued in his role as usual while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has won the first two races of the season.
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Toto Wolff says the ‘most important’ story in the Christian Horner saga hasn’t been discussed
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The long-serving chief insists the team are working together as one and paid tribute to those who have contributed to the start of the campaign.
Horner said: “The speculation is obviously rife but the most important thing is the team and focusing on on-track performances.
“We all have a vested interest in achieving performances like we have.
“It’s been a phenomenal team effort. What you don’t see is it’s all the men and women behind the scenes, all the people in the supply chains, all the people in the support functions and all the people that work ridiculously long hours in one of the biggest team sports, if not the biggest team sport in the world.
Christian Horner has overseen a successful start to the season on the track for Red Bull
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“I think it’s important to recognise that there are nine other teams doing what we are doing and it’s not that easy.
“You only do that by having a spirit, determination throughout the entire company and the drivers are driving the end product and they have done a wonderful job. We move on and our focus is on Melbourne.
“Red Bull Racing is the most followed sporting entity of any sports team in the world.
“We’ve got an incredible team who are doing an amazing job. Without that, we wouldn’t be achieve these performances.”
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