Formula 1 restarts with the Horner investigation and the anger of the drivers over time to test the single-seaters

THE Formula 1 the pre-season training camp will begin on Wednesday at the Sakhir circuit, the same one that will host the first round of the 2024 championship, the Bahrain Grand Prix, March 2. But a few hours before the start of testing, not everything is rosy in the paddock Great Circusamid uncertainty over the ongoing investigation inside Red Bull over allegations of “inappropriate behavior” Christian Horner and the complaints of some drivers about the little time they will have available to test the new machines.

The conflict that could erupt at Red Bull if the accusations of misconduct that a team employee made to its executive director turned out to be true (according to some media she presented evidence of sexually suggestive messages that she received from the former driver) worries the Formula 1. And a few hours before the start of the internship in Bahrain, The category urged the Austrian team to clarify the situation as soon as possible..

“We note that Red Bull has launched an independent investigation into the internal team allegations. We hope that this matter will be clarified as soon as possible, following a fair and thorough process. We will not be commenting further at this time.”he said in a brief statement.

F1 hopes that the investigation process will be completed before the first round of the calendar, in two weeks, so as not to risk the suspicions falling on Horner – who continues in his position – generating a climate of tension in the pits. We’ll have to see what happens from this Wednesday in training, given that the former British rider will be present in Bahrain.

The urgency of F1 e FIA, which refrained from commenting on the matter, while reiterating its commitment to “uphold the highest standards of integrity, fairness and inclusion within the sport”, is not shared by Red Bull. The Energy Drinks team does not want to make a hasty decision on such a sensitive issue. And given the pressure of the category, Helmut Marko He assured that it is good that he takes the time to thoroughly analyze all the evidence.

“The sooner we get to a result, the better, because obviously, given the long duration, rumors and other stories are bound to germinate. But I think Red Bull reacted very well in this matter. If the investigation took a long time it’s not his fault. “They are making an effort to do it fairly and then react accordingly,” commented the team’s sports advisor on the Austrian network. ServusTV.

Horner, who has always maintained his innocence, acknowledged that the situation was a “distraction”, but specified that his mind and that of the team are working to get to the start of the season in the best possible way.

“I denied the accusations. I have faith in the process that is taking place and I will continue to collaborate in the investigationswhich I hope will be completed in the near future.”he commented a few days ago in a conversation with sky sports. “For me everything remains the same. I am fully committed to the team. Everyone is focused on the season ahead. “The support has been fantastic.”.

Concern about the unsolved “Horner case” is not the only thing that could compromise the harmony of the Sakhir garage. As mechanics finalize details for the start of testing, which will begin this Wednesday and conclude Friday, some critical voices were heard on the pre-season format.

The test will be unique and will last three days, unlike the two four-day tests that were normally carried out until a few years ago, with Barcelona and Bahrain as settings. Each driver will therefore have only a day and a half to adapt to the new car. And some grid members don’t like this reduction.

Fernando AlonsoFor example, he believes it is “unfair” to have only “a day and a half to prepare for a world championship”, which will also be the longest in F1 historywith 24 dates.

“I’ve been thinking about it all winter. We have very limited testing in Bahrain. There’s no other sport in the world, with all the money at stake and with all the marketing and the positive things we say about Formula 1 and be ever closer to the fans, where this happens,” said the Spaniard Aston Martin.

And I add: “I can’t understand why we don’t go to Bahrain for four days, which could be two and two for the pilots. If you get to three, which is an odd number, you can’t split between the riders. And why don’t we go with two cars? Yes, we will race there next week.”

George Russell He agreed with his two-time champion colleague and believed that three days with a single car was not enough.

“I understand and recognize why we do it. But I think three days with two cars would be much better,” reflected the British driver. Mercedes.

“Can you imagine Rafael Nadal go twelve weeks without hitting a ball and then get straight to the point Roland Garros with a day and a half of training? “That would never happen,” she commented.

The beginning of the tests

Each day of testing in Sakhir will be divided into two four-hour sessions, one in the morning (starting at 4am in Argentina) and another in the afternoon (starting at 1pm). This Wednesday’s morning session will see the Dutchman on track Max Verstappen.

The presence of the three-time world champion aboard the RB20 – a car with a very different morphology to that of last season, for many the most dominant in history – will undoubtedly be the main attraction at the start of training.

The Red Bull driver will also run in the afternoon and will also do so in the second session on Thursday. While his partner Sergio Perez he will test the new car on Thursday morning and Friday.

Russell (Lewis Hamilton, in the preview of his last season with Mercedes he will do it on Thursday and the Friday sessions will be split); the two pilots of Ferrari (Charles Leclerc in the morning and Carlos Sainz in the evening); Alonso and his partner Lance Walk; Esteban Ocon AND Pierre GaslyFrom Alpine; AND Kevin Magnussen AND Nico HulkenbergFrom haas.