Wolff: Horner situation 'critical' for F1

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is hopeful the FIA will "set the compass right" as allegations against Christian Horner continue to overshadow F1's on-track activity.

The new season began under a cloud with Horner investigated by Red Bull Racing's parent company, Red Bull GmbH, over allegations of inappropriate behaviour, which the Briton denied.

It seems Horner was in the clear when Red Bull's investigation cleared him of wrongdoing, only for an anonymous source to send an email containing alleged evidence to his nine rival team principals, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and members of the F1 media.

Wolff had called for transparency after Red Bull had dismissed the case against Horner. Speaking following the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, he told media including RacingNews365: "I think the handling of the situation is very critical for F1.

"It is not in the hands of competitors to have any action, and we should look at ourselves in terms of what we can do to optimise in all of these topics - equality and diversity - and that is what we are doing.

"I am very proud we are at the forefront of that.

"To judge another person and another team, it is the governing body that needs to do that. They have it in their hands."

'A much bigger topic'

Asked how damaging the events of the past month have been for the sport, Wolff replied: "I think the moment I continue to question how this is being handled, I am not doing any good because then it could be seen as being just about a power fight within F1.

"That is why I don't think it is in the teams' hands, it is a much bigger topic that I don't want to diminish the whole situation by making it seem like the Mercedes or McLaren guy talks about the Red Bull guy.

"So I think let's see where it goes in the next few days and I very much hope that the governing body, sanctioning body and commercial rights holder sets the compass right."