Red Bull’s tech leaders backed Horner

In brief

Red Bull’s tech leaders backed Horner

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says senior members of their technical team signed a letter of support for him after he was investigated by the company following complaints against him that were later dismissed.

“There were two things that stood out,” Horner told the Financial Times. “There was the senior technical management coming into my office with a letter that they’d written and signed to the shareholders, committing their support and backing. That was very touching.

“Then, when I addressed the staff at the beginning of the year, the warmth and the reception that I received was outstanding. I think sometimes perceptions of external, versus what’s going on internally, are two very different things.”

Russell ‘had a nap before qualifying’

Las Vegas Grand Prix pole winner George Russell revealed he went to sleep between the end of third practice at 7:30pm and qualifying at 10pm on Friday night.

“It’s a real challenge for the body,” Russell said. “Such a big shift from Europe. And of course, we have to shift back when we go to Qatar next week. So it’s difficult to get your eight hours sleep in when it’s so offset.

“For me, it’s also just trying to sleep when you can, so I took a nap before qualifying. I woke up a little bit drowsy and then made sure I was in peak condition come the end of qualifying. I’m just trying to sleep when I can and just listen to my body, and if I need to sleep, sleep. And there wasn’t much to do.”

Starting 13th best points chance since Jeddah – Zhou

Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu believes starting 13th on the grid is his best opportunity to score his and his team’s first points of the season since the opening two rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

“Certainly, this is the best chance we’ve had since Bahrain and Jeddah,” Zhou said. “We definitely need to think about strategy and try to stay calm.

“A track like this, you could be starting from the last row and make it to the points. Anything could still happen. So I want to make sure we take the opportunity and give it all.

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