Sam Cooke
Saturday, February 24, 2024 08:57
Three-time world champion Max Verstappen has spoken out about Christian Horner’s internal investigation at Red Bull and said other teams are using “certain tactics”.
The team principal is currently the subject of an investigation into his alleged “inappropriate conduct”, an allegation he “absolutely” denies.
read more: Geri Horner ‘unfollows’ Verstappen amid Red Bull internal investigation
Horner will remain in his role as team principal while the process progresses, and has also taken part in pre-season testing in Bahrain.
His presence prompted various members of the F1 paddock to discuss the investigation, with McLaren CEO Zac Brown labeling the allegations as “extremely serious” and saying that both he and Toto Wolff has reinstated the team’s commitment to equality and inclusion.
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Meanwhile, Mr Horner has repeatedly used the line that he cannot speak about the ongoing process as media speculation follows him everywhere in Bahrain.
Verstappen not worried about Horner speculation
Verstappen said it was “typical” in F1 for Red Bull’s rivals to talk about Horner’s investigation, and said the world champion would do the same if the shoes were reversed.
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“It’s a tactic I always come back to,” Verstappen told De Telegraaf.
“It’s also typical F1. Would we do the same? Yes, absolutely. You always try to get your advantage from something. This is very logical.”
“I believe the team will build the fastest car possible,” he said of the new RB20.
read more: Horner and Red Bull investigation into F1 rivals called ‘very serious’
“When you have a year like ours, you can see teams going towards our style. What I like about our team is they’re not conservative.
“They’ve pushed the envelope again by tweaking the concept. If they think it’s the right way to do it, I have full faith in it.”
Verstappen also revealed that the team has been working to ensure the new car is just as powerful on street circuits, although it was clear that the edge had diminished slightly on some circuits last year. Ta.
“The challenge is to make sure those adjustments don’t come at the expense of other areas where the car was already good. Time will tell whether it’s actually successful.”
read more: F1 test results: F1 rivals set tempo on day 3, Verstappen defeated
