In the span of 24 hours, Christian Horner went from being cleared of the “inappropriate behavior” allegations against him to becoming the center of the same storm once again.

As this controversial chapter in Red Bull’s history unfolded, other team principals like Toto Wolff and Zak Brown asked for transparency. Within a day of Red Bull GmbH clearing Horner, they reportedly got what they wanted in the form of “purported evidence.” However, recent developments suggest there was truth to the alleged evidence.

On the day the 2024 Formula 1 season kicked off, an anonymous email was sent to team principals, senior F1 personnel, and many journalists containing a Google Drive folder. In that folder were 79 images of messages that appeared to be between Horner and the female employee. Back then, there was no guarantee of whether the screenshots were real or not. Now, there might be.

The extent of Red Bull GmbH’s transparency was the statement about the case’s dismissal. And the subsequent one about taking action against the employee. That action was to suspend the complainant after both she and Horner signed a confidentiality agreement regarding the investigation. While that’s stopping the employee from talking about it, one of her friends sat down with BBC Sport for an interview, discussing everything they know, including the legitimacy of the leaked Google Drive folder.

They claimed the images were genuine conversations between the team boss and the employee. They said, “We can all read the WhatsApps and anybody can come to their own conclusion whether that was an appropriate relationship between a CEO and a PA.” Christian Horner has repeatedly stated how he honored the investigation’s integrity and wants to put it to rest once and for all. But if this is true, the friend argued,

“If this has been a fair and independent process and there has been no wrongdoing found, then why isn’t that being brought forward in a transparent way? And why isn’t Christian denying that those WhatsApps are real?” After the leak of the purported evidence, all that the Red Bull Team Principal said was, “I’m not going to comment on what motive whatever person may have for doing this.” Given the timing of the leak, many suspected someone inside Red Bull wanted Horner out.

Before Red Bull suspended the employee, they gave her the right to appeal the decision. And unsurprisingly, she asked the FIA to investigate. Per the friend, the appeal has been registered to a public employment tribunal. However, firing more shots at the 50-year-old, they added, “I can tell you I would assume that Horner, like he has done every step of the way, will do everything he can to make sure that the employee tribunal is not public.”

In the meantime, as the complainant remains suspended, and the date for the tribunal is “a long time away,” the friend believes “it’s clear that’s Red Bull following a process to eventually fire her.” The bottom line in this conversation with BBC Sport – as well as the statements made by Wolff and Brown – is the lack of transparency. And they aren’t the only ones to bring it up.

Recently, even a four-time World Champion, who won all his titles with Red Bull, came out and urged for transparency into the Christian Horner investigation. Let’s see what he had to say.

Sebastian Vettel hopes “time will clarify everything” in the Christian Horner case

It was Christian Horner and Helmut Marko who noticed Vettel’s talent and helped him up the ranks and into F1. The German became the first Red Bull champion, and one can argue that Horner and Marko provided Vettel with the right push to become the great we all know him to be today. Sebastian Vettel may have that bond with the team boss, but that didn’t stop him from demanding a little transparency in the Christian Horner investigation.

Sebastian Vettel said, “I know the team, Christian [Horner] and Helmut Marko very well from my time, but it is very difficult for me have an opinion because I don’t know what happened and what didn’t happen.”

“I think I would like a little more transparency, but I hope that time will clarify everything. Of course, at this moment there is a lot of concern, but I think that from a sporting point of view, there is no reason for him to think something other than Red Bull.” Horner had something similar to say right after the leak.

“My focus is on this team, my family, my wife, and going racing. I have the support of an incredible family, with an incredible wife and an incredible team. And everybody within that team. My focus is on going racing and winning races and doing the best that I can.” After Red Bull’s struggles at the Australian GP, there’s no doubt that his focus on racing would apply now more than ever. Especially considering the next race is in Japan.

That said, what’s your take on Red Bull GmbH’s transparency throughout the Christian Horner investigation?