Hamilton steals show in Bahrain ahead Championship showdown
The 2024 World Championship is set to get underway in Bahrain on Saturday, with Max Verstappen looking to match Hamilton’s career best of four successive drivers’ titles following a dominant campaign last term.
The Briton got off to a great a great start in practice on Thursday, topping the chart with teammate George Russell in second.
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However, the attention of the sport as a whole remains firmly on the ongoing scandal involving the longtime Red Bull boss Horner.
Whatsapp messages including many of a sexual nature allegedly between the Red Bull team principal and a close female employee were leaked earlier this week ahead of the Grand Prix.
Horner was cleared of ‘coercive behaviour’ in an internal inquiry conducted by Red Bull’s parent company, and the 50-year-old insisted he would not comment on the renewed speculation.
‘I will not comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate I have always denied the allegations,’ Horner said in a statement.
‘I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and fully cooperated with it every step of the way.
‘It was a thorough and fair investigation conducted by an independent specialist barrister, and it has concluded dismissing the complaint made.
‘I remain fully focused on the start of the season.’
Horner was involved in practice sessions in Bahrain ahead of qualifying getting underway on Friday and spent time with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, Max Verstappen and his father Jos within a hospitality area at Bahrain circuit.
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The show of unity comes at a time when his 19-year role at Red Bull is under threat.
The FIA and F1’s owners Liberty Media were weighing up their response to the evidence now in the public domain.
Other team principals Toto Wolff and McLaren CEO Zak Brown have also spoken out about the ongoing incident, with the Mercedes boss calling for more ‘transparency’.
Formula One’s official X (formerly Twitter) account shared a photo of Lewis Hamilton calling the 39-year-old the ‘centre of attention’
Hamilton was seen being followed by admirers as he stepped out in an eye-popping outfit.