Horner more protagonist than Verstappen: Red Bull and the controversial start to the new Formula 1 season

The day of free practice for the Bahrain GP had as much or more activity on the track as in the paddock. The F1 World Championship starts and little was said about the great performance of the Mercedes leading the tests or the maneuvers of Verstappen who seems to be guarding the car for the race. The central issue was the alleged leak of the investigation into Christian Horner, director of Red Bull, who was acquitted by the team of a complaint of harassment through messages about a worker, but it seems that the issue is not yet closed.

Formula 1 starts tomorrow with the Bahrain GP, ​​which is held on Saturday due to the start of Ramadan next week – the Saudi Arabia GP will also be held on Saturday – and in yesterday’s free practice the favorite Verstappen was seen with good times. in long runs.

But while the cars were rolling on the Sakhir circuit, in the pits the news revolved around Horner. Last Wednesday, Red Bull acquitted its director of an accusation of harassment against a worker. However, yesterday an anonymous user distributed by e-mail a drive with the supposed evidence that would incriminate Horner. These would have reached managers from F1, FIA and team leaders from other teams, a total of more than 200 recipients.

The material has not been made public and it is unknown if what was shown is real or falsified, but, faced with this fact, Horner had to come forward in the face of the siege of Sky cameras: “Look, I’m happy that the process is over.” ”. He then sent a statement that was read by a spokesperson. “I will not comment on anonymous speculation, but, to reiterate, I have always denied the accusations… I am fully focused on the start of the season,” he said.

However, the reaction of other teams was clear and beyond whether or not to point out Horner, they asked F1 to clarify the situation. “We can’t look behind the curtain. A person has reported that there is a problem and it has been investigated. But more transparency is needed. I wonder what the position of the sport is,” said Toto Wolf of Mercedes, while from McLaren Zak Brown was more direct: “I think they have to make sure that things have been totally transparent with them,” he added.

-The world Cup-

The 2024 calendar begins tomorrow with the Bahrain GP with Red Bull as big favorites despite the entire situation that surrounds them. Max Verstappen was not the fastest, but he was the one who looked the best in the long runs, when they turned several laps in a row.

“Some have forced their engine to reach maximum speed, something that we have not done,” Verstappen himself warned.

The big question is who follows Red Bull. The Mercedes finished as the fastest, but everything was very tight with Ferrari, Aston Martin and McLaren.

“For once, we have the impression of being in a racing car!” said Hamilton after two difficult years in the silver team.

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