Christian Horner ‘advised to resign’ by Red Bull, and Hamilton given Ferrari warning by Briatore.
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Time is ticking on towards the start of the 2024 season, with testing in Bahrain due to get underway later this month. Lewis Hamilton’s pre-agreed switch to Ferrari and Red Bull’s investigation into Christian Horner have both shaken the F1 landscape in recent days.
The grid’s top stars are already on alert before a wheel has been turned in anger due to a vacancy which will pop up when Hamilton leaves Mercedes at the end of the year. Carlos Sainz, meanwhile, will be on the market as the driver set to be replaced by the seven-time world champion at Ferrari.
Max Verstappen remains the man to beat after notching his third consecutive Drivers’ Championship in 2023, and the chasing pack will hope to have closed the gap by the time of the Bahrain Grand Prix in early March.
Lewis Hamilton given Ferrari warning by Briatore
Former F1 team owner Flavio Briatore has warned Lewis Hamilton that he could perform like ‘Batman’ and still not lead Ferrari to titles if the car is not competitive.
The seven-time world champion will partner Charles Leclerc from 2025 onwards as he hunts down an eighth Drivers’ Championship.
And Briatore has given his honest verdict on the switch.
“I’m very surprised by Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, he must have had his reasons,” he told LaPresse. “The only thing to say is to wish Ferrari and the British driver the best.
“Why surprised? I think he has warned the team these days, Mercedes has done a lot for him. But they will get used to this reality. I think Hamilton’s decision has really thrown them for a loop.
“Do I agree with the choice? I don’t know. First of all you have to get the car right, you can also have Batman in the team, but if the car is not competitive it’s not like the driver can make a difference
Christian Horner ‘advised to resign’ by Red Bull
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has reportedly been advised to step down by the F1 outfit, who have just opened an internal investigation into the 50-year-old.
Horner faces allegations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ from a staff member.
According to German outlet Motorsport-total, Horner has been amicably advised to step down as team boss and vacate his post. As yet there is no indication that Horner has accepted the request.
Horner categorically denies the allegations, while Red Bull have hired an independent lawyer to assist.
