Max Verstappen came up with a flawless performance to win the Bahrain Grand Prix, 2024 on Saturday. This was the Red Bull driver’s 55th career Formula 1 win.
The fireworks went off as Verstappen weaved across the line in celebration ahead of teammate Sergio Perez. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz completed the podium in third position.
No FIA probe
The president of Formula 1’s governing body told the Financial Times that the controversy around Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is damaging the sport but that the FIA won’t conduct it’s inquiry unless it receives a complaint.
Mohammed Bin Sulayem said any complaint lodged with its compliance officer would be investigated. But, it had not received one related to Horner’s situation and would not “jump the gun,” the newspaper reported.
“It’s damaging the sport,” Ben Sulayem said after Friday’s meeting with Horner. “This is damaging on a human level.”
On Wednesday, the team’s parent company dismissed complaint of alleged misconduct by Horner towards a female team employee.
A day later during practice, a file alleged to contain evidence against Horner was emailed to nearly 200 people in the F1 paddock, including Liberty Media, F1, the FIA, the other nine team principals and multiple media outlets.
Horner has denied wrongdoing and said in a statement that he would not “comment on anonymous speculation.”
Three-time defending champion Max Verstappen said after qualifying for pole position Friday that Horner was “fully committed to the team” but that his team principal was also “probably a little bit distracted.”
Horner and his wife Geri Halliwell walked into the paddock hand-in-hand on Saturday in a public show of unity.