Horner in conversation with FIA president Ben Sulayem

It was a striking sight during the final free practice in Bahrain. While Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez were doing their laps on the track, team boss Christian Horner left the pit wall to talk to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

No doubt both were talking about Red Bull's investigation into the alleged inappropriate behaviour by Horner. He has since been cleared of that by an external investigator. Still, the issue has not completely disappeared after an anonymous email was sent to media and F1 pundits on Thursday. It allegedly contained Horner's Whatsapp messages with the woman who had complained. Ben Sulayem was also on the mailing list.

Horner and Ben Sulayem in conversation

After some time, Horner returned to the pit lane on Friday while the third practice was still underway. Photographers captured Horner and Ben Sulayem shaking hands, after which the team boss returned to the pit wall.

The FIA has since confirmed that Ben Sulayem and Horner had spoken to each other. No further details on the content of the conversation were shared in the process.