formula 1
World champion Verstappen dominates the desert start
He couldn’t be beaten during the first test drives in Bahrain: Max Verstappen. photo
© Darko Bandic/AP/dpa
Day one in the desert – and Red Bull is at the front again. World champion Max Verstappen dominates the start of the Formula 1 test drives in Bahrain. The only German driver ends up far back.
Regardless of the fuss surrounding his Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, he is a world champion Max Verstappen determined the start of the Formula 1 test drives in Bahrain.
The Dutchman completed the first day in the Sakhir desert with the best time in 1:31.344 minutes. The three-time champion, whose team boss Horner is under investigation for alleged inappropriate behavior, also completed 142 laps.
Verstappen relegated McLaren driver Lando Norris (+1.140 seconds) to second place by a clear margin, while Carlos Sainz (+1.240 seconds) in the Ferrari came third. However, the times are only of limited significance because the racing teams run different programs. The only German regular driver, Nico Hülkenberg, only completed the afternoon session for the US team Haas and did not get past position 18 (+4.562 seconds).
Formula 1 is hoping for a quick solution to the Horner case
The Horner case smolders in the background. The parent company Red Bull initiated an “independent investigation” against the team boss at the beginning of February. He is accused of inappropriate behavior. An external specialist lawyer had the Brit, the longest-serving team boss in the premier motorsport class, give his opinion during an hour-long conversation. Horner denies the allegations. It is unclear whether he will remain in office.
Formula 1 hopes that the procedure will be “clarified as quickly as possible”. The official test drives last until Friday. The first Grand Prix of the year will take place on March 2nd in Bahrain.
“Formula 1 and the teams stand for inclusion, equality, fairness, diversity. It’s not just about talking about it, but also living it day by day,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff in Bahrain. “These are the standards we set for ourselves. We are a global sport, one of the most important sports platforms in the world and we are role models.” It is important that the investigation in the Horner case is “transparent and precise”.