Formula 1
Horner defends 'straight talking' attitude in F1
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says he stands by his 'straight talking' nature in Formula 1, although admits he went too far in Qatar in his criticisms of a marshal.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Nov 23, 2021, 2:53 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Horner received a warning from the FIA stewards after the race in Losail on Sunday for remarks where he accused a "rogue marshal" of having put out double-waved yellow flags in qualifying.
It was those flags that triggered an offence for Max Verstappen, who was handed a five-place grid penalty for ignoring the warning signals.
Horner's comments about the marshal come on the back of the behaviour of both Horner and rival Mercedes boss Toto Wolff being probed in recent weeks as the pressure of the title battle ramps up.
While Wolff's finger-pointing moment on the camera in Brazil became a meme, Horner has found himself in the spotlight amid controversies over hard-hitting remarks he has made recently about the Mercedes rear wing, Yuki Tsunoda, the recent Max Verstappen/Lewis Hamilton incident in Interlagos and the events in Qatar.
But while apologetic for having singled out a marshal for criticism, Horner has defended his approach to speaking out and criticising things that he believes are wrong.
Asked if he had any regrets about the way he has conducted himself, Horner said: "No, not at all. I believe in my team. I am a straight talker and I've always conducted myself in that manner.
"I'm not an overly emotional person, I don't rant at cameras. I think the way I've conducted myself, I've got no issues with, and I'd do exactly the same [in the future].
"I think the only issue, regarding the marshal, was that if there was any personal offence taken for referencing a rogue yellow flag, it was not intended at any individual or any marshal.
"I don't know whether you heard the interview that I gave [where the comments came from] but I didn't feel that it was unreasonable."
Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing spaks to the media
Photo by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Images
Horner reiterated that the comments he made about the marshal were fuelled more by his annoyance at the way the yellow flag situation played out in qualifying to trigger a penalty for Verstappen.
"I made a comment on one of the broadcast channels that I felt that there had been a rogue steward [marshal] who waved the yellow flag, and the stewards took offence to that," he said.
Read Also:
- Masi: Horner criticism of Qatar F1 marshal “not accepted”
- Horner apologises for F1 marshals comment in Qatar
"I just reassured them that no offence was made or intended with the individual. It was more frustrating having three or four cars pass the same car with no yellow flags, but ours got a waved yellow flag.
"I think the apology was accepted, and I would just like to make it clear it wasn't pointed at marshals.
"I think marshals do a wonderful job around the world. They are volunteers. Without marshals there would be no motorsport. It's just the circumstances that were frustrating, and I think there's something that can be learned from this."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Ricciardo's Qatar GP compromised by extreme F1 fuel saving
Next article Ten things we learned from F1's 2021 Qatar Grand Prix
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Red Bull Racing
Did Max Verstappen already know the impact of Red Bull’s big upgrade when he signed his new deal?
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
19 h
Did Max Verstappen already know the impact of Red Bull’s big upgrade when he signed his new deal?
Latest news
Jesse Love barely holds off Sam Mayer for NASCAR O'Reilly win at Phoenix
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Phoenix II
1 h
Jesse Love barely holds off Sam Mayer for NASCAR O'Reilly win at Phoenix
Lando Norris faces anxious wait as F2 prepares to decide future of his racing team
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
4 h
Lando Norris faces anxious wait as F2 prepares to decide future of his racing team
NASCAR Cup Phoenix starting lineup: Blaney earns pole as Larson struggles
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
5 h
NASCAR Cup Phoenix starting lineup: Blaney earns pole as Larson struggles
Ryan Blaney kind of faces a must-win scenario this weekend at Phoenix
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
6 h
Ryan Blaney kind of faces a must-win scenario this weekend at Phoenix
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe