Horner delivers warning over FIA-Ben Sulayem investigation

Christian Horner has urged caution over "prejudging" the ongoing investigation into FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The FIA is currently investigating claims from a whistleblower that Ben Sulayem interfered in Fernando Alonso's 10-second time penalty at the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The whistleblower alleges that Ben Sulayem called the FIA's vice-president for sport for the Middle East and North Africa region – Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamas bin Isa Al Khalifa to stress that Alonso's penalty - upgraded from not properly serving a five-second one for being out of position on the grid - should be overturned.

After Aston Martin provided new evidence in the aftermath of the race, Alonso's penalty was rescinded and he regained his third-place finish, swapping with George Russell who had briefly been promoted to third.

'Don't pre-empt the facts'

Horner has himself been in the midst of an investigation into allegations against him made by a Red Bull employee and using his experience over the past month, he believes that Ben Sulayem's case, which also features a second allegation from the same whistleblower of claims he tried to put pressure on organisers not to certify the Las Vegas Grand Prix track, must be allowed to play out naturally.

"I think the one thing that I've seen and learned certainly from any investigation is that don't pre-empt the facts," Horner told media including RacingNews365.

"There needs to be an investigation and I'm sure the relevant parties, and again the process that they have within the statutes of the FIA will be followed.

"All I would urge is don't prejudge. Wait for the facts. Wait to see what is the reality before coming to a judgment."