F1 doesn't need to do or say anything at all to bask in the glory of global media freely talking about some aspect of F1 when they otherwise wouldn't be talking about it at all. Arguably - not saying anything is just adding to the intrigue of the situation, and therefore, the media coverage it is getting.
The team bosses have been granted celebrity status almost as much as the drivers have - 2 of them in particular, both of whom have now been in the media recently for questionable conduct.

This isn't a legal matter at this stage - only if or when it officially becomes a legal matter do the circumstances change. Until then, free speech is still alive and well, and available to everyone. Nobody knows exactly where this will go in the future.

It's worth remembering that F1's commercial side is run by a company that makes money primarily by exploiting the media and consumers. Engagement is one of their primary metrics, and they aggressively use that to sell their media space to advertisers (whose moral standards are often no better).

A good storyline or a bad one - we're all still talking about F1 now, aren't we. And that just makes F1 more interesting, and F1's media space more valuable.

I don't agree. Formula 1 is trying to expand in the US in particular and among younger generations in general. The last couple of years have been dull affairs despite all the hype because of RBR domination. Drive to Survive (which I stopped watching midway through the second season admittedly) is really plastic 'reality TV': what would or could they do with a real scandal involving potential litigation? Or real factions warring within Red Bull? Both those may be speculative stories only for now but they could also turn out to be actual. Spinning this into promoting Formula 1 - it's own Me Too moment - would be impossible, I'd have thought; it would be terrible publicity. Not the kind of storylines they want.

Apologies. I pressed the wrong button - 'report comment' - rather than 'reply'.

My reply is that FOM and the teams are increasingly seen as one circus with different acts and the ringmaster is FOM. This is a consequence of increasingly embracing the 'franchise' model.

They all follow FIA rules about racing but the commercial and image making stuff is FOM and a team principal breaching modern mores is a particular problem in the US - where the ownership is - but also in the UK - where the team are based - and elsewhere

@sjaakfoo
The rest of the comment fell off? Attempt two:

While you're correct it is even worse. I'm already used to flashy headlines trying to make a story where there isn't one. This current headline is even worse though, it is just a plain lie. You cannot deduct FOM told RBR anything from their statement. And right above the statement we see called. Also not correct…

I expect better @willwood

Probably some sleazy tabloid asked them for a statement.

In a statement to RaceFans, FOM

I thought he was guilty of at least something besides bringing the dogs into the country.

I must admit though that I don’t follow that kind of news, even if it goes through the courts.

@sjaakfoo
This.
Good call out.

Genuinely not sure why this is an article at all to be honest.

Unfortunately, this site acts more and more like a tabloid.

FOM has no right to demand anything as it was something intern between Red Bull team and parent Red Bull.
Untill Red Bull comes out with information this is a none thing and we should ignore any rumours.

From what i have seen, this is more a case of the Telegraaf only publishing what is needed to make the story gain headway without putting in too many details, probably on legal advise (details risk claims for defamation, they make for greater risk of the people involved getting out in the public domain and there is a risk of the courts finding these details do nothing to further the resolving of this issue)

Solid comment there anon.

I do think that for the FIA it makes sense to just be watching what is happening since RB is already doing their investigation, since doing one as well in parallel would only make matters worse and give more potential for a mess.

I wouldn't go that far. The allegations are so vague, and even after more than a week, few details have leaked, suggesting there's just not that much salacious gossip.

There are many possible stories to explain this, but they would all be baseless speculation without more information.

I will say that I consider Horner to be a weaselly scheming politician, and I don't particularly like him. But- He's a superb team manager, and exceptionally self-aware of his (and Red Bull's) image, so the idea of this sort of behavior seems… atypical.

There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about. -Oscar Wilde

F1 doesn't want any controversy to end early, in all reality - even if it doesn't involve F1 at all, but only one team's internal affairs. The bigger the issue and the more publicity it gets, the better it is.

All they’re asking for is once the investigation is completed that they don’t sit on it unless of course there’s appeals, or more investigation to be done.

“At the earliest possible opportunity” could conceivably be weeks or months depending on the nature of the evidence, the need to interview people involved and of course lawyers who are known for their speed (not)

Has anyone ever been “cleared” in public after being accused of something? Nah

I mean, yeah, Johnny Depp made a pretty big show of it… Though it probably takes someone pretty special to go to the effort involved.

All completely fair points, from anon below too… It's probably a bigger deal for F1 indeed than I was making it out to be

If you doubt the level of independence of the investigators, then just say so, and/or come up with reasoning or even proof for your doubts.

FOM trying to influence any part of this, compromise any independence of it, puts them in a bad daylight as far as I'm concerned. I see it as an attempt to influence a judge.