Christian Horner: Red Bull F1 boss cleared after investigation into inappropriate behaviour
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The first Grand Prix of Formula 1’s 2024 season continues today with free practice three and qualifying ahead of Saturday’s race with the noise surrounding Christian Horner refusing to fade.
Thursday’s action in Bahrain, with the Grand Prix set for Saturday, saw an unexpectedly quick run from RB’s Daniel Ricciardo who topped FP1 on a set of soft tyres before Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton went fastest in FP2. The Brit was a touch under half-a-second quicker than Max Verstappen as Red Bull seemingly struggled to find their pace.
The seven-time world champion led a Mercedes one-two at the Sakhir Circuit as George Russell finished just behind Hamilton with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso third and Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari in fourth. Verstappen finished sixth, though there are rumours that Red Bull are hiding the true pace of the car. Elsewhere, Christian Horner drew the media’s attention after Whatsapps allegedly sent by him to a female colleague were leaked to the press, in what could be an embarrassing development for the Red Bull team principal who had previous been investigated and cleared over alleged ’inappropriate behaviour’. Follow updates from the Bahrain Grand Prix with The Independent:
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2024 LIVE
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What is the race schedule and start times for practice in Bahrain?
Free practice 3: 12:30pmQualifying: 4pm
Kieran Jackson1 March 2024 09:14
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Lewis Hamilton tops Bahrain practice as Max Verstappen struggles in shock start to F1 season
Lewis Hamilton raised hope of taking the fight to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix after finishing fastest in practice.
The seven-time world champion led a Mercedes one-two under the lights of the Sakhir Circuit, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso third and the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz fourth.
World champion Verstappen finished sixth, nearly half-a-second back for Red Bull.
Verstappen had been regarded as the heavy favourite heading into Saturday’s curtain raiser in the Gulf kingdom.
Jack Rathborn1 March 2024 09:08
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Christian Horner responds after texts allegedly sent to female colleague leaked
The team principal was cleared of “inappropriate behaviour” on Wednesday after a three-week internal probe conducted by an external lawyer, following allegations from a female colleague which were strongly refuted by Horner.
However, just 24 hours later, WhatsApp texts and pictures were leaked from an anonymous source – to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali, the sport’s nine other team principals and members of the media – allegedly showing conversations between Horner and the complainant. The Independent has seen the leaked material but is unable to verify the authenticity of the content at this stage.
Jack Rathborn1 March 2024 08:58
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Christian Horner allegations timeline: How Red Bull team principal became embroiled in scandal
A statement from Red Bull confirmed Horner has been cleared of all charges ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend. Horner emphatically denied the claims.
But just 24 hours later, hundreds of messages and a number of images apparently between Horner and the complainant were sent from an anonymous email account to members of the F1 paddock – including FIA president Mohamed ben Sulayem, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and the grid’s nine other team principals, as well as the media – on the eve of this weekend’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
Jack Rathborn1 March 2024 08:48
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F1 2024 season predictions: World champion, biggest shock, and who will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes?
Another Formula One off season has come and gone – with its fair share of dramatic stories – but now we are set to go racing once again.
This Saturday’s season opener in Bahrain is the first of a record-breaking 24 races in 2024, which sees the season stretch from Bahrain GP practice on 29 February to the finale in Abu Dhabi on 8 December.
Max Verstappen is the unquestionable favourite to claim his fourth straight world championship this year, with Red Bull winning 21 out of 22 races last year and the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren all playing catch up.
But will there be a surprise in store? Can anyone make the jump up into the midfield contenders? And how will a fascinating driver market develop throughout the year?
Jack Rathborn1 March 2024 08:47
