A lot had happened ahead of the Qatar GP as drivers dropped down from their starting grid positions. With the FIA bringing in many drivers for investigations over the last few races, we now have an odd man out. The Stewards have now called Christian Horner for an investigation.

As the celebrations for the Qatar GP were underway, the FIA dropped in on Red Bull’s party. They had summoned Christian Horner before the stewards for breaching the international sporting code. This is likely because of his comments related to Verstappen’s penalty for the double yellow flags.

Having called a Marshall “rogue,” the team principal was guilty of breaching Art 12.2.1 of the regulations. For the first time in a while now, Horner’s words have come back to bite him.

What did Christian Horner do?

Article 12.2.1 covers the behavior of F1 personnel towards the FIA. The rule punishes: “Any words, deeds or writings that have caused moral injury or loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members, or executive officers, or more generally, on the interest  of motorsport, and on the values defended by the FIA.”

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What was another rant on Horner’s part proved costly for him. In an interview before the race, Horner had said, “It looks like a complete balls-up. The FIA have effectively said, ‘Play on, the circuit is safe, it’s clear.’ Max was in the first sector. We had so much time to look at it. The dash, everything for him, if indicated otherwise, we would, of course, had informed him.”

The tough comments didn’t stop there. “I think it’s just a rogue marshal that stuck a flag out. He’s not instructed to by the FIA — they’ve got to have control of the marshals. It’s as simple as that. That’s a crucial blow in the championship for us. We’re now starting P7 at a track you can’t overtake at. That is massive.” That pretty much covers everything the rule warns against.

Later, as the announcement was made, Horner retracted his earlier statements. A mellow boss now said, “I’d like to make it clear that the marshals do a wonderful job. My frustration was not with the marshals but at the circumstance. If any offense was taken by any individual then I apologize for that.” 

Having been so critical towards the governing body, Horner now has to face them. What would result from this for the team principal? Only time will tell.

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