Despite unrest in the team: Max Verstappen seems unstoppable this year too. © APA/afp / GIUSEPPE CACACE

Verstappen takes pole, but Red Bull tears itself apart

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen also demonstrated his dominance in the Red Bull in the second qualifying session of the year and secured pole position for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

March 08, 2024

From: apa/dl

On Friday at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the Dutchman was clearly faster than Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, who was 0,319 seconds behind. Sergio Perez (+18.00) will start from third place in the second Red Bull on Saturday (0,335 p.m.).

For Verstappen, who also won the opening race in Bahrain, it was the 34th pole of his career and his first in Jeddah. The 26-year-old thus overtook Jim Clark and Alain Prost in the all-time best list, making Verstappen fifth. Aston Martin veteran Fernando Alonso came fourth (+0,374). The McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris took fifth and sixth place ahead of the two Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. The race was postponed by one day due to the upcoming Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

The result of qualifying.

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, who is out due to appendicitis, will not be there. The 29-year-old Spaniard has already undergone surgery. It remains to be seen whether Sainz will be able to take part in the next race in Australia in two weeks. Replacement driver Oliver “Ollie” Bearman took eleventh place in his first qualifying in the premier class, the debutant missed out on making it into “Q3” by 36 thousandths of a second.

Power struggle at Red Bull

In the power struggle at the Austrian-British Formula 1 racing team Red Bull Racing, the suspension of motorsport consultant Helmut Marko is said to be under discussion. “It’s difficult to judge. The theoretical possibility always exists,” said the 80-year-old Styrian, a close confidant of the late company founder Dietrich Mateschitz, in an ORF interview on Friday before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Ultimately, I decide what I do. It’s such a complex issue.”

Helmuth Marko (gl) could be suspended. © APA/afp / GIUSEPPE CACACE

The decisive factor is the case surrounding team boss Christian Horner, who was allegedly accused of inappropriate behavior by an employee. The 50-year-old Englishman was acquitted after an independent, internal investigation at Red Bull, and the employee was recently suspended from the Austro racing team for dishonest behavior, according to media reports. “We want peace in the team, the World Cup will be difficult enough with 24 races and we have to concentrate on that,” emphasized Marko.

The employee involved is now seeking legal action in a civil lawsuit. “Anything that leads to a quick result is more than desirable,” said Horner about this decision, but there is currently too much fuss in the long run. The current engine supplier Honda also demanded clarity. “They want a clear statement about what really happened,” explained Marko. “The most important thing is that we get back to sports.”

Two camps

According to sources close to Red Bull, the company has been divided since the death of mastermind Mateschitz. The Thai majority owners, the Yoovidhya family, are said to be supporting Horner, while the Austrian faction reportedly wants the team boss removed from his post. Horner called for a conclusion on Thursday. “My wife and family have supported me tremendously, but the interference with my family life is enough now,” he said.

Verstappen's father Jos apparently wants to get rid of Christian Horner. © ANSA / CHRISTIAN BRUNA

There is also a lot of talk at the moment about the future of triple world champion Max Verstappen, who has a contract with Red Bull until 2028 and was discovered by Marko. “If you were to lose him, it would be an incredible loss because many mechanics and engineers also try to work for Max,” said Marko. According to rumors, Verstappen's contract is linked to Marko.