Martin Brundle’s ‘not impressive’ as Red Bull clear Christian Horner investigation : PlanetF1
Despite Red Bull drawing a line beneath the Christian Horner investigation, Martin Brundle fears the story has been “damaging” for the staff boss, Red Bull and Formula 1 as an entire.
That it rumbled on by means of to the eve of the season-opening Grand Prix in Bahrain made it even worse.
After weeks of investigating Horner, and rumours about stated investigation, Red Bull GmbH introduced on Wednesday that “the grievance has been dismissed”.
‘A damaging story for Christian and Red Bull and all of Formula 1’
Stating that it had been a “fair, rigorous and impartial” investigation, Red Bull went with no remark as to the precise nature of the investigation.
The firm’s assertion learn: “The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned.”
Brundle wonders if that’s the proper strategy.
“I think the problem of making no comment whatsoever on what may or may not have happened is that mud sticks,” the previous driver advised Sky Sports. “It’s been a worldwide story, I believe it’s been a harmful story for Christian and Red Bull and all of Formula 1.
“I believe it’s not spectacular that we’ve ended up right here on the eve of the championship and we’re solely simply now getting any form of route or decision.
“In terms of the team, they have got momentum, an incredible car, incredible people. I don’t think it will have an instant impact.”
For Red Bull, although, the matter it appears is finished.
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“Red Bull, the parent company, have drawn a very thick and firm line underneath the matter as far as they’re concerned with that statement,” Brundle added.
“It does say they complainant can take additional motion in opposition to this however they’re clear. They have carried out a deep investigation and talked for hours, many pages of paperwork have been generated, so clearly there was one thing to speak about.
“Christian Horner has at all times strenuously denied all wrongdoing on this and they’re actually like ‘case closed and complete’.
“I discover this a really curious enterprise. We knew no information by any means about this story, a number of echoes, a number of rumours that swirl round.
“We can only go by that statement and it looks like a line drawn underneath it and let’s see if anything else comes out of that from third parties.”
‘No question about Horner staying in his job’
According to Brundle’s fellow pundit Craig Slater, now that Horner has been cleared there may be “no question” about him staying on as Red Bull’s staff boss.
It’s a place he has held since 2005, the Briton seeing the staff by means of to seven Drivers’ Championship titles and 6 Constructors’ crowns.
“It’s worth reflecting how clear and emphatic it [the statement] is, in terms of the exoneration of Horner,” Slater stated.
“My understanding is that there isn’t a query, even within the aftermath of this, that there’s any debate about Horner staying in his job.
“He will be running the team this race weekend, and in the foreseeable future. No question about that.”
He added: “It’s a really clear assertion from Red Bull that the grievances in opposition to Horner have been dismissed.
“The team are advising me that there is absolutely no question about Horner either taking a break from the job, or stepping down from the job, in the aftermath of what has been personally an arduous week.”
1996 Formula One World Champion Damon Hill additionally weighed in, saying: “There might be individuals who say that it’s the organisation judging itself and never being uncovered to another exterior influences.
“They had to investigate an allegation and they’ve satisfied themselves that their man is in tact and that they’re going to carry on.”
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