Despite Red Bull’s intent to keep information within the team regarding their investigation, on the eve of the new F1 season a Google Drive folder containing alleged WhatsApp messages and photos between Horner and the colleague who accused him was leaked to journalists, team principals and key figures in the sport.

Those contents have yet to be verified, despite fueling more speculation across the paddock. Horner refused to comment on the leak and has since attempted to put the situation behind him after denying all allegations.

“Obviously there's been an awful lot of coverage surrounding this,” Horner said in Saudi Arabia. "But we have to go back to the basis, the grievance was raised it was fully investigated and it was dismissed and from there we move onwards.

“An awful lot has been made out about this. It's been of great interest in different elements of the media for different reasons. I think it's time to draw a line under it. We are here to go racing. We are here as an F1 team and now to focus on what's going on track and the drivers and performances of the cars - where the spotlight should be."