London24NEWS

F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix Race: Christian Horner newest and build-up

Williams principal arrives

One of the lesser-heralded figures in F1 however with each proper to be on the race, this is James Vowles.

Williams are getting into their second season with Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant as a pairing, so that they’ll be hoping to construct on their seventh-placed end, although even consolidation can be a very good end result.

Williams team principal James Vowles before the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir. Picture date: Saturday March 2, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story AUTO Bahrain. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

George Russell rocks up

Morning George. Hope you are studying this.

Russell had a storming qualifying session and begins on the second row in third place, six spots forward of team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who had fairly a tough time, particularly within the first qualifying session.

Mercedes' George Russell before the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir. Picture date: Saturday March 2, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story AUTO Bahrain. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Christian Horner arrives

Shieldd by shades, Red Bull’s beleagured boss has arrived on the paddock forward of the Bahrain GP.

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 02: Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner walks in the Paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 02, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

A penny on your ideas, Lando?

Here’s Lando Norris signing a cap should you’re brief on photos of these selection, though its proprietor has left the label on!

With the storm billowing over F1, maybe the hopes and goals of McLaren this season have gone underneath the radar.

They’re quietly assured. Norris begins seventh immediately.

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 02: Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren walks in the Paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 02, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

A well-known face bounds in

We’ve bought a wild Daniel Ricciardo on our palms.

Pictures are trickling in of our F1 stars arriving immediately and Ricciardo has, understandably, been a success with the followers.

He’s a larger-than-life character and begins in 14th immediately, a good place for the rebranded RB workforce (previously Alpha Tauri).

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 02: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Visa Cash App RB greets fans as he arrives at the circuit prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 02, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Pauline Ballet - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

A more in-depth take a look at the Red Bull civil battle

Everyone in Formula 1 has an opinion on the Christian Horner scandal, even when they are not keen to share it.

Those who work intently with Horner are divided. The scandal enveloping him has been dangerous PR for F1, however he additionally has some staunch allies.

Why not check out the place the fault strains lie? Here’s our piece on who stands with Horner and who’s extra distant.

Sparks able to fly

There’s nothing fairly like seeing the sparks sizzle on the rear finish of a Formula 1 automotive.

Under the quilt of night in Sakhir, hopefully we’ll see a number of illuminate the monitor.

Is Christian Horner going to be there?

Red Bull’s embattled chief has been current within the build-up to the GP to date.

Here’s a photograph of him arriving with a bag to show it.

Horner minimize a lonely determine as he turned up and has remained stoic all through the ordeal, with the controversy surrounding him threatening to derail Red Bull’s prim preparations.

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 02: Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner walks into the Paddock ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on February 29, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

And… what concerning the racing?

Let’s not neglect that 20 persons are placing their lives on the road at 3pm immediately. Yes, consider it or not, amid all of the furore, there’s a race occurring.

Max Verstappen certified in pole place for this one, as he did final 12 months. And final 12 months he received the opening GP at a canter earlier than scooping up 18 extra victories. Way to go.

Joining him on the entrance row is Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, whereas George Russell is poised for a robust race in third.

As for Lewis Hamilton, effectively, he’s down in ninth. It was a nervy qualifying session for the 39-year-old whereas Carlos Sainz, the person who he’ll exchange at Ferrari, begins in fourth.

Below you’ll discover our assessment of qualifying.

The leaked texts that despatched F1 into overdrive

Fancy a deeper dive into the WhatsApp leak?

On Thursday, simply because the second observe session was getting underway, an e-mail was despatched spinning right into a pantheon of Formula 1 titans.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, F1 chief government Stefano Domenicali, workforce principals, senior journalists. All had been aware about 79 paperwork which presupposed to shine a light-weight on inappropriate behaviour from Horner.

He refused to remark particularly on the leak however insisted he denied any allegations.

You can learn extra about this newest twist beneath.

What’s all this Horner stuff about?

Formula 1 vehicles can attain speeds of as much as 225mph. You’d be forgiven for feeling that you must attain that tempo to maintain up with the Christian Horner updates!

If you’re not totally conversant in the controversy surrounding Horner, Red Bull’s workforce principal, this timeline will information you thru each flip.

That consists of:

  • An preliminary allegation of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ towards him
  • Red Bull’s father or mother firm launching an investigation
  • Comments from Horner and different senior figures within the sport
  • Horner being CLEARED by the investigation, which means he can maintain his £8million-per-year job
  • The thunderbolt of leaked texts – and the pressure on his marriage to Geri Halliwell

Welcome to a season opening like no different

Well, it’s lastly right here. After 97 days, tons of of leaked messages, and one almighty scandal, Formula 1 is again and extra explosive than ever.

Welcome to the Bahrain GP, 2024, a curtain-raiser like no different.

While final season signified uninteresting dominance on Red Bull’s half, this marketing campaign begins as one of the vital unstable in historical past.

On Wednesday, Red Bull’s father or mother firm cleared workforce principal Christian Horner of ‘coercive behaviour towards a female employee’. And so after a month of pressure the game – and Horner’s marriage to Geri Halliwell – appeared to lastly have some fragile peace restored.

Not for lengthy. Within 24 hours, an nameless e-mail deal with despatched tons of of WhatsApp messages to main F1 figures and members of the press. The bombshell e-mail alleged that Horner had despatched them, a lot of an erotic nature, plunging the paddock again into disarray.

There are different explanation why this season begins like few others.

Lewis Hamilton will get pleasure from a closing swansong with Mercedes earlier than pitching up at Red Bull in 2025, leaving Carlos Sainz to scramble for a seat elsewhere. Cue shockwaves on the grid.

This may also be the longest F1 season ever, that includes a staggering 24 races. How’s your stamina?

Mail Sport might be with you each step of the way in which. Time to get caught in.

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner monitors during the third practice session of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on March 1, 2024. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP) (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images)
Key Updates

  • The leaked texts that despatched F1 into overdrive
  • What’s all this Horner stuff about?
  • Welcome to a season opening like no different

TOP STORIES