Toto Wolff accuses Red Bull of overlaying up data in Horner scandal

Toto Wolff has accused Red Bull of withholding data within the Christian Horner intercourse textual content scandal and slammed them for a ‘complicated’ communication technique. 

The Mercedes boss additionally revealed he was open to a transfer for Red Bull’s legendary chief technical officer Adrian Newey – after information emerged Horner might push him out.

Horner has been mired in a scandal following accusations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by a feminine worker forward of the 2024 season, although an inside investigation cleared him.

Hundreds of messages allegedly from Horner – some sexual – have been spilled to the media and F1 titans, however Red Bull have affirmed he won’t be sacked after a shareholder assembly.

In response, Wolff instructed Osterreich: ‘From the surface, we’re handled to a variety of drama. But for a crew like Red Bull, a scenario like this is not nice.

‘Not saying every thing solely makes it extra fascinating, resulting in extra questions, extra tales, extra hypothesis.

‘But there’s a actual story within the background, and it is a very powerful one – why did a lady who felt uncomfortable go to HR? Why hasn’t something talked about this but?

‘There’s additionally an data technique that appears a bit complicated from the surface. Generally, I believe the Austrians are skilled whereas in England they attempt to hold every thing small, however that is not attainable lately.’

Despite being cleared of allegations by Red Bull, Horner’s future was thrown again into critical jeopardy after what seemed to be intimate WhatsApp exchanges with a feminine colleague have been despatched to Formula One’s most influential figures. 

The bombshell electronic mail contained 79 paperwork, together with tons of of messages, a lot of them of a sexual nature.

The nameless sender copied in main folks within the sport, resembling FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 chief government Stefano Domenicali, in addition to accredited media gathered in Bahrain for the scandal-ridden opening race of the season.

Amidst the scandal, a rift has reportedly developed between Horner and Newey, the designer who has helped Red Bull win 13 titles since 2006. Horner might reportedly look to push him out of the F1 champions. 

Horner refused to rule out a transfer for Newey, saying: ‘Everything is at all times attainable on this loopy carousel. I would not rule something out. But now we have a superb crew of technicians with whom I really feel comfy, even when that isn’t mirrored within the lap time for the time being.’

That comes after his declare that he would ‘love’ to have Max Verstappen be a part of the Silver Arrows. Sources have instructed Mail Sport’s Jonathan McEvoy that Verstappen might even depart Red Bull mid-season, such is his and his father’s distaste for the outrage enveloping Horner. 

Seeing Verstappen and Newey depart can be a monumental blow to Red Bull’s steady excellence, however not less than they will in all probability depend one ally sticking by them. 

Last week, their future engine provider from 2026, Ford, appeared to commit their future to the crew by sponsoring the crew’s F1 Academy programme.

Ford have been beforehand very vocal, stating that they anticipate ‘excessive requirements of behaviour and integrity,’ earlier than falling silent on the Horner controversy. 

Becoming the title sponsor for the Red Bull-backed Academy programme, an all-female racing sequence designed to help Formula 1, seems to point out their dedication to the crew.

And Helmut Marko, Verstappen’s mentor, instructed De Telegraaf that the scenario is extra agreeable than reported – regardless of claims that there was an ‘open conflict’ between him and Horner. 

He stated: ‘So much has develop into clearer.’

Asked if he can proceed to work with Horner, he stated: ‘We’ve been doing it for 19 years already, so why not?

‘However, there are nonetheless some points that must be resolved.’