Horner assumes Red Bull strategy in Jeddah: leave Verstappen in front

Although the Formula 1 has set up camp in Miami for the first American round of the season, the controversy surrounding the first corner of the Jeddah Grand Prix continues to be discussed. Nearly two weeks after the incident, Christian Horner confirmed that the Austrian team made the tactical decision to deliberately leave the Max Verstappen leading the race, despite the threat of a penalty.

« If we had surrendered the position—which we decided not to do at the time, as it would have put us under pressure from the cars behind—the advantage of clean air should never be underestimated., explained the team director. Overtaking on the Jeddah circuit is very difficult, and when you're driving in the dirty air, getting closer, especially in that incredibly fast first sector, was impossible. »

As a reminder, the Dutchman, who started from pole position on the Corniche circuit, short-circuited the first corner. This allowed him to maintain his first place against the McLaren byOscar piastri, second on the grid and author of a better takeoff at the lights out. The maneuver, too optimistic according to the FIA, earned him a five-second penalty. Max Verstappen crossed the finish line second, 2,6 seconds behind the McLaren n°81.

Horner and Red Bull lose bet

This strategic choice of Red Bull did he do the quadruple world champion a disservice? If the car No. 1 had given up track position, she would not have received a penalty, but according to Christian Horner, such a choice would have been disadvantageous for the Dutchman.
"During the first stint, we managed to widen the gap, said the British leader. In the second stint, we were 4,8 seconds behind when we went out and we finished the race 2,6 seconds behind Oscar. We had the pace to win that race, which was really the first time, I think, this year that we had the advantage over the McLarens in terms of pace on race day. »

With a pace better than that of the McLaren, according to Christian Horner, it's hard to understand how the decision not to give up the position could have been the best possible one for the Austrian team. The clean air is obviously a factor, but Lando Norris proved - with his rise from tenth to fourth place - that overtaking is possible in Saudi Arabia.

Nevertheless, the Red Bull's pace is encouraging for the competition, although the conditions still represent a trial for the RB21. At Miami, the circuit where it won twice, in 2022 and 2023, it will once again try to trouble the favorites McLaren.

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