FIA release statement after accusations against Horner

The Red Bull Racing employee accusing Christian Horner of inappropriate behaviour has filed a complaint with the FIA's ethics committee, according to the BBC. The global motorsport federation is now responding to that news.

A whistleblower allegedly filed complaints against the team boss twice this year, which were reportedly not acted upon. On Saturday, it leaked that the woman in question had also gone to the ethics committee to complain about Horner. However, the FIA states in a statement that it cannot—and will not—confirm whether an investigation has been launched.

FIA's statement

"At the FIA, enquiries and complaints are received and managed by the Compliance Officer, and the Ethics Committee where appropriate. Both bodies operate autonomously, guaranteeing strict confidentiality throughout the process. As a consequence, and in general, we are unable to confirm the receipt of any specific complaint and it is unlikely that we will be able to provide further comment on the complaints that we may receive from any parties."

In any case, in the run-up to the Australian Grand Prix, things remain unsettled around Horner. Not only is there a complaint - or not - with the FIA, but it has now also been leaked that the woman at Red Bull GmbH is appealing the outcome of an earlier internal investigation. In it, Horner was cleared of inappropriate behaviour. The woman has, however, been suspended by her employer Red Bull Racing.