28 February 2024 , 14:08
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Max Verstappen insists that the ongoing investigation surrounding Christian Horner is not impacting his preparations for the new season.
The 2024 F1 campaign gets underway on Saturday in Bahrain, with Verstappen aiming to make it four titles in a row. Red Bull are also attempting to make it three consecutive Constructors’ Championships.
The build-up to the first race of the season has been overshadowed by Red Bull’s investigation involving team principal Christian Horner. He has been accused of 'inappropriate behaviour'; allegations that he has denied.
As the investigation continues, Verstappen insists that he has not been distracted. The Dutchman has also called for a swift resolution, no matter the outcome.
Asked how his preparations have been impacted at the first media day of the season, he replied: "It doesn't. I'm very focused on just the performance of the car and myself.
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“Hopefully it will be resolved very soon. It's a whole team effort that everyone has to stick together and work to more success, so that's why it's important to get everything resolved very soon."
While Verstappen has confirmed that Red Bull’s preparations have not been impacted, legendary commentator Martin Brundle is of a different opinion. He suggests that there has been similar levels of disharmony seen since the death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022.
Max Verstappen speaks with Christian Horner (Getty Images)Will Red Bull win the Championship this season? Share your predictions in the comments below
"I think the problem Red Bull have is that Dietrich Mateschitz was the final arbiter of any key decision and they followed him,” Brundle said. “He said jump, they said how high.
“So I think you're already seeing some of this - chaos is too strong a word - but disruption, let's call it, from that point on in 2022. Obviously, if you take Christian out of that loop, then a vacuum is always filled with other things, isn't it?
"And whether that would have the same effect [as Mateschitz's passing], but they've got momentum and they've got [Max] Verstappen. So I wouldn't be too worried about their immediate performance, but down the road, you'd have to say that that would create some challenges."
Elsewhere, ex-F1 star Karun Chandok has urged for patience as the investigation progresses. He said: “It must be difficult internally for that entire team, the story that the entire paddock is talking about. It is absolutely a big talking point. It’s an internal investigation, it’s not in the courts. The details may just stay internal.
“It’s easy to get caught up in the noise, there’s so many theories. Just wait and see what’s announced by Red Bull, we’ve just got to wait and see what plays out.”
As it stands, Horner is yet to be notified about the result of Red Bull’s investigation. He has flown out to Bahrain to join the rest of the side and is set to be in the paddock for Thursday’s practice.
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