Christian Horner back in eye of Formula 1 storm after email leaks alleged messages

Purported messages emailed to media and senior F1 staff

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner ahead of Practice 3 at the Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir. Photo: David Davies/PA Wire. 

The opening of the new Formula One season was dramatically overshadowed on Thursday evening after a leaked email purporting to contain images of messages between Christian Horner and the female member of staff who made a complaint against him was sent to media, team members and senior personnel within F1 and the sport’s governing body the FIA.

Less than 24 hours after the result of the investigation into Horner for alleged inappropriate behaviour had exonerated the Red Bull team principal and dismissed the grievance, the sport was once more engulfed in speculation and conjecture after the anonymous email circulated around the paddock at the first race of the season in Bahrain.