Although Formula 1 has settled in Miami for the first American round of the season, the controversy of the first turn of the Grand Prix of Djeddah continues to flow from ink. Almost two weeks after the facts, Christian Horner confirms that the Austrian stable made the tactical decision to deliberately leave Max Verstappen at the top of the race, despite the threat of a penalty.
« If we had made the position-which we decided not to do at the moment, because that would have put us under pressure from the cars from behind-the advantage of pure air should never be underestimatedsaid the director of the stable. Going out on the Djeddah circuit is very difficult, and when driving in dirty air, getting closer, especially in this first incredibly fast sector, it was impossible. »
As a reminder, the Dutchman who went to pole position on the circuit of the cornice short-circuited the first turn. This allowed him to keep his first place against the McLaren of Oscar Piastri, second on the grid and author of a better flight to the extinction of the fires. The maneuver, too optimistic according to the FIA, earned him five seconds of penalty. Max Verstappen crossed the second finish line, 2.6 seconds from McLaren n ° 81.
Losing bet for Horner and Red Bull
Has this strategic choice of Red Bull served the quadruple world champion? If the n ° 1 single -seater had made the position on the track, it would not have received a penalty, but according to Christian Horner, such a choice would have been disadvantageous for the Batavian.
“During the first relay, we managed to widen the gap, said the British leader. During the second relay, we were at 4.8 seconds when we released and finished the race at 2.6 seconds from Oscar. We had the rhythm necessary to win this race, which was really the first time, I think, this year, that we had the advantage over the McLaren in terms of rhythm on the day of the race. »
With a better pace than that of McLaren, according to Christian Horner, difficult to understand how the choice of not making the position could be the best possible for the Austrian team. The clean air is obviously to be taken into account, but Lando Norris has proven – with his rise from tenth to fourth place – that overruns were possible in Saudi Arabia.
Nevertheless, the pace of the Red Bull is encouraging for the competition, although the conditions still represent a justice of the peace for the RB21. In Miami, a circuit on which he won twice, in 2022 and 2023, he will again try to worry the McLaren, favorites.
To read also> Norris assumes his difficulties at the wheel of a McLaren which does not suit him
Related news :