The first Formula 1 race of 2024 saw too little drama on-track – and rather too much off-track.
While Max Verstappen cruised to a routine win which recalled the least exciting rounds of last season, his Red Bull team was grappling with an unfolding crisis surrounding team principal Christian Horner.
On top of that the president of the sport’s governing body, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, is now reportedly under investigation by his own organisation for allegedly interfering in last year’s race at Jeddah Corniche Circuit – scene of this weekend’s grand prix.
While those storylines continue to unfold, the hopes of a competitive 2024 season rest on Red Bull’s rivals getting their act together – or Sergio Perez replicating his race-winning performance at this race last year.
These are the talking points for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Red Bull ‘civil war’
Verstappen has been thrust into the centre of the unfolding row at Red Bull over the future of its team principal. Christian Horner was cleared of inappropriate behaviour following an internal investigation last week, but a subsequent leak of messages allegedly involving him and a female member of staff have raised fresh questions. Horner denies the claims made against him and has refused to discuss the leaked material.
The loudest voice calling for him to stand down has been Verstappen’s father Jos, who told reporters last weekend the situation was tearing the team apart. It also emerged Ben Sulayem had asked the three-times champion to make a public show of support for Horner. How Verstappen will walk the line between supporting his father and his team principal is a dilemma he would surely rather not have to face as he focuses on his bid for a fourth world championship.
Meanwhile Red Bull’s rivals have urged FOM and the FIA to take the lead in determining whether the team has handled the situation correctly. Ben Sulayem acknowledged the situation is “damaging for F1”, but he now appears to be involved in a controversy of his own.
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Ben Sulayem investigation
The result of last year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was decided several hours after the chequered flag fell, when a penalty which had been applied to Fernando Alonso was rescinded. The decision to cancel the penalty was widely welcomed and it restored Alonso to the podium.
But yesterday a report…
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