Wolff: Horner case should remind F1 figures of ‘role model’ status

Amid Red Bull’s investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct by team principal Christian Horner, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reminded the sport’s main figures of their role model status and their responsibilities in upholding F1’s values.

The probe initiated recently by Red Bull GmbH, the parent company of the Milton Keynes-based outfit, has been entrusted to an independent lawyer and aims to shed full light on the claims made by a female employee of Red Bull Racing.

While Horner strongly denies the allegations, details of the investigation remain shrouded in secrecy.

On Wednesday in Bahrain, in a media conference attended by five team principles, including Wolff, the Austrian was the only team boss willing to address the elephant in the room and the questions triggered by Horner’s case.

• Read also: Marko defends ‘long duration’ of Horner investigation by Red Bull

Wolff reminded the F1 community of the sport’s broader aspirations, while also acknowledging the media frenzy surrounding the investigation, criticizing the rampant speculation and unsubstantiated claims.

"I think it's clear, F1, and what the teams do, we stand for inclusion, equality, fairness, diversity," he said.

“And it's not only about talking about it, but living it day [in], day out. And I think this is the standard that we're setting ourselves.

“We are a global sport, one of the most important sports platform in the world. And we're role models.

“But having said that, there is a lot of speculation that's been happening over the last weeks, speculation that we have heard of. And lots of things that are going on.”

Wolff stressed the importance of due process and transparency, but also the need for Formula 1 at large to learn from the case once the outcome is known.

“I think what's important at that stage, for process with rigour, I think what Red Bull has started as an independent investigation - if this is done in the right way, with transparency, and with that rigour - I think that's something that we need to look at, what the outcomes are, and what it means for F1, and how we can learn from that," he added.

“Because we want to talk about racing cars. And we want to talk about the sport, rather than these kinds of very, very critical topics that are more than just the team's issue.

"It's a phenomenon, or it's an issue for all F1. And in general, for every individual that works out there."

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