Max Verstappen will start the Bahrain GP on pole (Photo: Getty)
Max Verstappen is on pole for the first race of the 2024 season with the reigning champion in prime position to win the Bahrain Grand Prix.
But the session was overshadowed by the ongoing scandal surrounding Christian Horner, with details of the texts between the Red Bull team principal and his accuser emerging at the very same time.
Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing by Red Bull on Wednesday, after allegations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ were made against him by a female employee of the team.
But on Thursday, WhatsApp messages and images supposedly between Horner and his accuser were leaked to the media, including the Metro, and F1 personnel.
Some of those texts have now been made public however.
Back on the track, Horner was on the pitwall to see his star driver take pole position in Bahrain, going over two-tenths quicker than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, with George Russell of Mercedes third.
Despite topping practice on Friday, Sir Lewis Hamilton could only qualify ninth, while McLaren’s Lando Norris will line-up on the grid in seventh.
Christian Horner investigation timeline
How the scandal has unfolded…
Monday 5 February – Red Bull confirm investigation into Horner over ‘controlling behaviour’ allegations
Friday 9 February – Horner grilled by independent lawyer during eight-hour hearing
Thursday 15 February – Horner attends Red Bull’s 2024 car launch and publicly addresses allegations for first time – says he ‘fully denies’ any wrongdoing
Friday 16 February – Fresh allegations emerge in Dutch Newspaper De Telegraaf suggesting Horner sent messages of a ‘suggestive nature’ to a female employee
Wednesday 21 February to Friday 23 February – Horner attends Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain – says: ‘We hope there is a resolution as soon as possible’
Friday 23 February – Sixth series of F1: Drive to Survive releases on Netflix – Horner and wife Geri Halliwell feature in docuseries
Wednesday 28 February – Horner cleared of allegations – Red Bull say: ‘The investigation is complete and the grievance has been dismissed. The complainant has a right of appeal’
Thursday 29 February to Saturday 2 March – Formula 1 season gets underway with the Bahrain Grand Prix
Thursday 29 February – WhatsApp messages and images supposedly between Horner and the complainant were leaked to the media and F1 personnel
Friday 1 March – Horner summoned for showdown talks with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem
‘It was a lot of fun. The track had a lot of grip but with the wind the last two days, it was tricky to get the whole lap together. It was the same in qualifying,’ Verstappen said post-qualifying.
‘To really get everything out of it in Q3 was a little more difficult but I’m very happy to be on pole. It was a little bit unexpected but luckily in qualifying the car came to us and I felt a bit happier with the whole car.
‘The race is going to be close as well. We look good as well but we’ll see tomorrow. I’m confident we can have a strong race.’
Red Bull appear to be the team to beat yet again (Photo: Getty)
Ironically, Leclerc had topped the second qualifying session with a time that would have just beaten Verstappen’s pole lap, but was unable to replicate the magic when it mattered most in Q3.
The Ferrari star said: ‘I’m a bit disappointed, but yeah, we did a good qualifying. It’s been a tricky weekend until now. We were trying quite a few things in practice and then I found the sweet spot in qualifying.
‘Q1 was a bit tricky. Unfortunately we put on two new sets of softs, which compromised a little bit the Q3, but all in all it’s quite a good qualifying, a good start of the year.
The start of the new F1 season has been overshadowed by the Christian Horner investigation (Photo: PA Wire)
‘We are in a better place compared to a year ago, so that is good. Now we have to see the race pace tomorrow.
‘In Q2 I think I did a lap which was more or less the lap time that Max did in Q3, so it was there in the car. I think we lost a little bit the rhythm in Q3, then you have to readapt to the new tyres and I lost a little bit there, but all in all it’s been a positive quali.
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‘I’m confident we did a step forward but we have to wait and see tomorrow how much of a step forward we did. We really think that Red Bull is still ahead by quite a bit, in the race I mean.
‘So we’ll see, but if there’s an opportunity as always I’ll go for it, and we’ll see what happens tomorrow.’
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