Formula One has been hit with a number of scandals as the calendar year turned to 2024. Red Bull have an on going investigation into both their team principal’s alleged “controlling” behaviour and for the source of the anonymous email sent to 149 senior paddock individuals claiming to contain confidential documents from the enquiry.

The employee accusing Horner has been suspended on full pay but no reason has been given by the team for this course of action. This of course has led to a hysterical response in certain quarters claiming that transparency is ultimately what is most important and that Red Bull are protecting a middle aged white man with power against a poor vulnerable female – who was in fact rewarded for her ‘bravery’ by having her claim dismissed and finding herself suspended.

 

 

 

Hamilton ‘whips up’ the mob

This clearly flawed mentality ignores the requirement for due process to take its course. The Red Bull Racing team are governed by UK employment law and should they act with impropriety, they can be held accountable before an employment tribunal.

Lewis Hamilton whipped up the adoring crowd of trolls into a frenzy in Australia when he used the situation to advance his agenda of ‘inclusivity’ and diversity.

“We’re living in a time where the message is if you file a complaint, you will be fired, and that is a terrible narrative to be projecting to the world, especially when we’re talking about inclusivity in the sport. We need to make sure we stay true to the core values.” Hamilton said.

Of course Lewis does use his terminology loosely given the female has not been fired, just suspended. Further, there have been reports this week that should Red Bull dismiss her appeal, she will apply to a UK employment tribunal for a hearing.

Piastri reacts to McLaren team orders

 

 

 

FIA president cleared of wrongdoing

“I love that she’s taken it out of this world (of F1) because there is a real lack of accountability here, within this sport, within the FIA. Things are happening behind closed doors. There is no transparency, and we need that.

“The fans need that. How can you trust the sport and what is happening here if you don’t have that?” concluded Hamilton.

The female is also now believed to have lodged a complaint with the FIA who have so far refused to get involved or comment. Also down under the FIA cleared its president of wrongdoing as Mohammed Ben Sulayem stood accused of interfering with the result of a Grand Prix in 2023, where Fernando Alonso had his race penalty overturned and his third place finish confirmed at George Russell’s expense.

Ben Sulayem was also cleared of the accusation he attempted to ensure the FIA refused a grade 1 license for the Las Vegas circuit, as part of his vendetta with the commercial rights owners of the sport. Regardless Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing continues to call for complete transparency. 

Red Bull turmoil over sacking Daniel Ricciardo

 

 

 

Zak Brown wants ‘true independence’

“Look, all the items that have come to light here in recent times are very serious situations,” Brown, McLaren CEO, said to media at the 2024 Australian GP. “I think we’re living in 2024 not 1984 which means total transparency.

“I think the three situations are different, but all very serious and I think we need to make sure that things are done in a transparent, truly independent manner. I think everyone should welcome transparency.

“Everyone would like these various topics to enable us to go back to motor racing, but I think until all the unanswered questions are answered, people will continue to ask questions. So, I don’t think it’s a great situation that we’re in that we’re three races into the calendar and we’re still talking about these issues.”

“But there’s not been in the level of transparency and need to make sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to speak up.”

Spanish media slam Hamilton and Ferrari bosses

 

 

 

Vasseur slams “gossip” and “rumours”

Brown appears to completely ignore that individuals equally have a right to privacy and in the case off Christian Horner he has been defamed repeatedly in the media ever since the female accuser leaked to the press the fact he was under investigation.

While the Ferrari boss agreed greater clarity is required eventually, Fred Vasseur cautioned over rushing to ‘swift’ but ‘unsafe’ judgements based on hearsay instead of evidence based facts.

“Transparency is key, and we have to trust the governance for this,” Vasseur told assembled media in Albert Park. “But don’t ask us to make any comments because that we don’t have access to evidence.

“I think to make comments just based on gossips, rumours and so, just creates another layer of… I won’t say the word because I’ll have to go to the stewards… I think at one stage that we just have to trust the governing body.

Perez breaks silence on “Verstappen exit clause”

 

 

 

Suzie Wolff complaint lodged

One other matter currently underway is a legal petition made by Susie Wolff in the French courts earlier this month. She is attempting to find out the exact nature of the alleged FIA enquiry into her handling of confidential information prior to the winter break.

With wall to wall F1 scandals affecting vast swathes of the paddock, its been difficult to concentrate on the racing this year, despite Carlos Sainz claiming victory for a Ferrari at just round three.

New CEO of the Racing Bulls, Peter Bayer, has experience of working for the FIA and cautions that complete transparency may never be possible.

Ricciardo told of RB ‘all Japanese lineup’

 

 

 

Transparency is “limited” says RB boss

“We will have to try and understand where we can have transparency,” Bayer said to press. “Because when it’s about individual topics or complaints coming through a whistleblowing hotline, you have to make sure that there is the absolute guarantee and protection of the people doing whistleblowing.

“When it’s about employment and contracts, those are, I think anywhere on the planet, not meant to be to be shared with anyone. So, it’s difficult but I think you know, as a sport we have to learn and grow through these processes and processes and hopefully we can come back and focus on racing.”

The FIA have proper procedures to manage these things correctly, with specifically selected members of the Ethics Committee and Compliance Officers meaning the issues are taken seriously and not merely handled as a matter of course.

Strong rumour of Vettel to Mercedes

 

 

 

Horner plots Alonso snub for Max Verstappe

The fall out from the Red Bull saga which has engulfed the Formula One paddock for the first three rounds of the 2024 championship, is far from over. Currently the female accuser of the team boss has been suspended and is appealing the decision to dismiss her allegations.

As long as the process remains internal, then Red Bull control what information comes out and what remains confidential. Yet the employee is reported to be planning to bring the matter into the public domain by lodging a complain with an employment tribunal should her appear be rejected by the Red Bull investigation. READ MORE