Though the Red Bull’s team principial, Horner was cleared of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ towards a female employee in February after an internal probe but the saga rages on.
Horner, married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, has always denied any wrongdoing. Halliwell was however reported in March to be considering a divorce.
The woman who accused Horner of inappropriate behaviour has meanwhile, appealed the outcome of Red Bull’s internal probe.
She is said to be ‘very upset, angry, scared, intimidated and lonely’. And it’s thought that details of the Horner scandal could go public if her appeal fails.
Former Red Bull driver Vettel now calls for ‘transparency’. This comes as the scandal has continued to overshadow the 2024 F1 season ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
‘Obviously there’s been a lot of talk since the beginning of the year,’ the German told Sky News.
‘I think with these things, it’s always difficult to know everything and it would be nice if there was simply more transparency so that you really could have more of an opinion.
Vettel continued: ‘I think that it’s always difficult if you read one thing, then another thing and then the opposite. ‘I think now things are going round in circles.
‘The shame is that obviously Max [Verstappen] is doing a great job. The team – [including] a lot of individuals I remember from my time there, are doing a great job in the background and that’s sort of forgotten when the subject hovers around something else.’
Vettel, who also previously raced for Ferrari and Aston Martin before retiring in 2022, was quizzed about the treatment of women in the sport and added: ‘F1 is changing, but it’s an old fashioned business in many ways.
‘So first of all, there weren’t many [women working in F1 during his time] but, you know, the numbers were going up.
‘So when I started and when I left, there were a lot more women in the paddock and a lot more women not just following the sport, but also working in the sport.
‘I think that’s a positive change but really, like everywhere else, there’s still room for improvement.’
Meanwhile, Vettel has not ruled out making a U-turn over his retirement and admits he has spoken to Mercedes boss Toto Woff, with Lewis Hamilton heading to Ferrari for 2024.
‘Obviously [making a comeback] does cross my mind,’ Vettel said. ‘I do think about it but it’s not the main thought.
According to Vettel, ‘I have three kids at home, it’s busy every day. So there’s a lot of other thoughts that I have.
‘I’m speaking to Toto. I don’t know if it qualifies as Mercedes, but about other things, ideas that I have, events I’m planning going forward.
‘I did speak to a lot of other team principals as well – and it’s not only about racing.’