F1 News: Sebastian Vettel Calls For Transparency In Christian Horner Case - 'Going Around In Circles'

Saajan Jogia | Apr 4, 2024

Oct 23, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team driver Sebastian / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Former Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel has expressed his views on the controversy surrounding an investigation into Red Bull team principal Christian Horner in February, urging for increased "transparency" regarding the issue.

Key Takeaways:

• Sebastian Vettel weighs in on the controversy surrounding an investigation into Red Bull team principal Christian Horner in February, advocating for increased transparency.
• Despite Red Bull's impressive performance in the first two Grands Prix of the season, attention shifted to headlines about the investigation into Horner, overshadowing their success.
• Vettel emphasizes that greater transparency could have mitigated the widespread attention garnered by the case, echoing recent calls from Lewis Hamilton for clearer communication in Formula 1. Additionally, concerns continue as reports indicate that the woman involved is appealing the findings of Red Bull's internal investigation.

Despite Red Bull's impressive 1-2 finishes in the first two Grands Prix of the season, the limelight was overshadowed by headlines regarding the investigation into Horner.

Oct 23, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team driver Sebastian / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Despite Horner being cleared of any wrongdoing following allegations of misconduct from a female colleague, Vettel contends that the case wouldn't have garnered such widespread attention if transparency had been upheld. The case gained significant attention due to the high level of secrecy surrounding the matter.

The four-time world champion, who drove for the team from 2009 to 2014, stated to Sky Sports F1:

"Obviously there's been a lot of talk since the beginning of the year. I think with these things, it's always difficult to know everything.

"It would be nice if there was simply more transparency so that you could have more of an opinion. I think it's always difficult if you read one thing, then another thing and then the opposite. Now, things are going around in circles.

“The shame is that obviously Max [Verstappen] is doing a great job. The team, a lot of individuals that I remember from my time there, are doing a great job in the background and that’s sort of forgotten when the subject hovers around something else.”

Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, speaks at the Red Bull Fan Zone, a / Jay Janner/American-Statesman / USA

The concern persists for the Red Bull team boss, as reports suggest that the woman involved is appealing against the conclusions of Red Bull's internal investigation.