Christian Horner – latest: Red Bull boss to return to F1 grid after WhatsApps leaked

Speaking on Wednesday, before the Christian Horner verdict was announced, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton said the controversty needs to be an “important moment” for F1.

“We always have to do more to try to make the sport and the environment for people to work in feel safe and inclusive,” Hamilton said. “Any allegations have to be taken very seriously.

“We don’t know everything that has gone on but it needs to be resolved because it is hanging over the sport.

“It will be interesting to see how it is dealt with, and the effect that it may or may not have on the sport moving forward.

“It is a really important moment for the sport to make sure that we stand true to our values.”

Geri Halliwell was reportedly “set to fly” to Bahrain ahead of tomorrow’s season-opening race, but there is now uncertainty as to whether the former Spice Girl will attend the Grand Prix following the latest developments in the Christian Horner story.

Horner and Halliwell married in 2015 and they have one son. She is regularly seen at races around the world, often alongside the Red Bull boss – including in their dominant title-winning season last year.

Halliwell is said to be “relieved and elated” after Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing after allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” were made against him by a female colleague.

But the leaking of WhatsApps and texts allegedly sent to a female colleague by the Red Bull team principal has placed Horner back into the spotlight.

Race day for the Bahrain Grand Prix is tomorrow – so Halliwell would likely need to travel today if she still plans to attend and be alongside her husband.

Christian Horner’s Formula One future is back in the spotlight after WhatsApp messages appearing to be sent by him have been leaked.

Here is a timeline of how the allegations have played out.

McLaren boss Zak Brown joined Toto Wolff in urging F1 to show more transparency, and says more information is needed for the sport to be able to “draw a line” under the current situation with Christian Horner.

Speaking before the WhatsApp leak yesterday afternoon, but after Horner was cleared of “inappropriate behaviour”, Brown said: “I read this statement. I think from what I’ve seen there continues to be a lot of rumours and speculation, questions.

“I think the sanctioning body has a responsibility and authority to our sport, to our officials. I think all of us in Formula 1 are ambassadors for the sport on and off the track, like you see in other sports, and so I think they need to make sure that things have been fully transparent with them.

“And I don’t know what those conversations are and that needs to be thorough, fully transparent, and that they come to the same conclusion that has been given by Red Bull, and that they’ve agreed with the outcome.

“But I think until then, there’ll continue to be speculation because there are a lot of unanswered questions about the whole process.

“So I think that’s what’s needed by those that run the sport to really be able to draw a line under it. Until then, I think there’ll continue to be some level of speculation by people and I don’t think that’s healthy for the sport.”

Before yesterday’s leak, F1 was faced with growing calls for Red Bull GmbH to share the details of their investigation into Christian Horner.

Red Bull GmbH said their report into allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” – of which Horner was cleared and has always firmly denied – will remain “confidentail”.

Formula One’s owners Liberty Media, nor its regulator the FIA, have not seen the findings, according to reports.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff challenged F1 and its governing body earlier on Thursday to demand greater “transparency” from Red Bull’s investigation.

“I just read the statement, which was pretty basic,” said Wolff. “My personal opinion is, we can’t really look behind the curtain.

“There is a lady in an organisation that has spoken to HR and said there was an issue and it was investigated and yesterday the sport has received the message that it’s all fine, we’ve looked at it.

“I believe with the aspiration as a global sport, on such critical topics, it needs more transparency and I wonder what the sport’s position is?

“We’re competitors, we’re a team and we can have our own personal opinions or not. But it’s more like a general reaction or action that we as a sport need to assess, what is right in that situation and what is wrong.

“Are we talking with the right moral approach, with the values based on the speculation that is out there?

“As a sport, we cannot afford to leave things in the vague and in the opaque on critical topics like this, because this is going to catch us out.”

Christian Horner was cleared of “inappropriate behaviour” on Wednesday after a three-week internal probe, following allegations from a female colleague which were strongly refuted by Horner.

The complaint, first publicised on February 5, alleged “inappropriate, controlling behaviour” against Horner. He strongly denied the allegations, both initially and in public.

An investigation was conducted and completed by an external lawyer, who interviewed Horner for nearly ten hours on February 9 in London.

In announcing the result of the investigation, Red Bull GmbH confirmed that the “grievance” against Horner had been dismissed.

Red Bull GmbH, which owns the Red Bull F1 team, said it was confident the inquiry into Horner had been “fair, rigorous and impartial” but added that the 150-page report was “confidential”.

Christian Horner was back in Bahrain yesterday for the opening day of practice ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first of 24 races scheduled this season.

After returning to the paddock, Horner spoke to Sky Sports on Thursday and said: “I am pleased that the process is over, and I cannot comment about it.

“I am here to focus on the grand prix and the season ahead and trying to defend both of our titles. I can’t give you any further comment, but the process has been conducted and concluded.

“I am pleased to be here in Bahrain, and with the team, focused on the season ahead. Within the team, it (the unity) has never been stronger.”

Horner is set to be back in the spotlight today, however, after the WhatsApp leak and his latest denial. The final free practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix takes place from 12:30pm, with qualifying to start at 4pm.

Yesterday afternoon, a Google Drive folder containing WhatsApp texts and pictures were leaked from an anonymous source.

It allegedly showed conversations between Horner and the complainant in the investigation in which Horner has been cleared of “inappropriate behaviour”.

The Independent has seen the leaked material but is unable to verify the authenticity of the content at this stage.

It is also unclear currently whether the alleged exchanges formed part of the investigation or whether it is new evidence.

“I won’t comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate, I have always denied the allegations. I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and fully cooperated with it every step of the way.

“It was a thorough and fair investigation conducted by an independent specialist barrister and it has concluded, dismissing the complaint made. I remain fully focused on the start of the season.”

The Independent contacted Red Bull GmbH, Red Bull Racing’s parent company, for further comment to which they replied: “This is a private matter between Mr Horner and another and it would be inappropriate for Red Bull to comment on this.”

It’s set to be another dramatic day on the F1 paddock as Christian Horner returns to the grid ahead of qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Horner was cleared of an allegation of “inappropriate behaviour” towards a female colleague on Wednesday after a three-week internal investigation.

Horner responded with a firm statement and said: “I won’t comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate, I have always denied the allegations.”

We’ll have all the latest news and developments in today’s live blog.