F1 Bahrain GP: “Plenty of work still to do,” Christian Horner, cautious despite front row start at Sakhir 

Christian Horner sounds a warning bell to his team ahead of the Bahrain GP, stressing the importance of finishing.

F1 Bahrain GP: “Plenty of work still to do,” Christian Horner, cautious despite front row start at Sakhir 

Christian Horner and Max Verstappen after Bahrain Qualifying (Credits: Maxverstappen.com)

Christian Horner, team leader of Red Bull Racing, is tentatively happy with the qualifying performance in Bahrain ahead of the season’s inaugural race. Both drivers, Max Verstappen, and Sergio Perez qualified on the front row, providing the team with the best possible start.

Horner understands that points are only scored on race day, and after last year’s setback, he is vigilant. Red Bull Racing had a dismal start to the 2022 season, with both drivers retiring from the race. Max Verstappen had a reliability issue, while Sergio Perez’s engine failed, bringing him to a halt.

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The team boss highlighted how important it is to finish the race in order to score points. “As we know from last year, it’s important to finish,” Horner stated. “Both drivers managed to navigate their way into Q3 with the two sets of the softer tyres available. To lock out the front row is the best possible start for tomorrow’s race, but there is still plenty of work to do.”

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Horner admitted that Ferrari and Mercedes are strong challengers, adding that Red Bull Racing must turn their excellent grid positions into points. “It’s a great start from the drivers and the team, but plenty of work still to do,” he added.

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Red Bull aims to avoid repeat of last year’s nightmare start to the season

Redbull DNF at last year's Bahrain Gp
Redbull DNF at last year’s Bahrain Gp (Credits: PlanetF1)

The team learned from last year’s race and also adapted their tyre strategy for Sunday’s race. The qualifying results provided Red Bull Racing with a strategic edge, which Horner thinks will transfer into a winning race.

Last year’s race featured an intriguing tussle for the lead between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, with the Ferrari driver winning the duel. Unfortunately, Max’s reliability issues caused him to withdraw during the late stages of the race, while Sergio Perez also had an engine failure in the penultimate lap. Red Bull Racing began the season with two DNFs.

The team has since overcome the reliability problems and mounted a supreme championship campaign by dominating the season, but Horner remains focused on finishing the race. He is upbeat about the forthcoming race but admits that there is still work to be done to translate the grid places into a successful result.

Yet with such a successful qualifying result, Christian Horner’s statements serve as a caution that the team cannot afford to get complacent. The energy-drink-based company must work hard to ensure that their grid positions are converted into points and avoid a repeat of last year’s double DNF. “As I say, though, it’s a great start from the drivers and the Team, but plenty of work still to do as we look to convert these excellent grid positions into points tomorrow,” Horner said.

With last year’s double DNF, the Redbull team boss’ guarded optimism is justified. He is sure, though, that the team’s good grid positions and strategic advantage will result in a solid race finish. Red Bull Racing has learned from its past mistakes and is keen to start the season on a high note. With the title race anticipated to be tight with the field spread being very close, every point counts, and Red Bull Racing will be seeking to capitalize on their possibilities.

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