Horner says "nothing to explain" over slipstreaming row
Red Bull boss Christian Horner says he does not understand Daniel Ricciardo's complaints over Max Verstappen about their qualifying tactics at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Ricciardo was unhappy after the session after feeling that the team lost out the chance to lock out the third row of the grid because his teammate had declined to help offer him a slipstream.
Horner insisted that his team's policy had always been that one driver would be designated to run in front of the other on set weekends - and there was never a suggestion that the plan would be changed.
Speaking to Sky, Horner appeared slightly baffled that there had been complaints over the matter.
"They [the drivers] know the situation. There is nothing to explain," he said about the controversy.
Asked about the slipstreaming issue, Horner said: "We have a very simple policy here that has operated for the last seven years that we alternate from weekend to weekend who drives out of the garage first.
"That is the only way to keep it as scrupulously fair from circuit to circuit. So this weekend it was Daniel's time to drive out of the garage first in front of Max, and obviously he felt that Max might be benefiting from that.
"So that is why he obviously started to back up a bit."
Horner was clear that there are a number of policies that the team imposes – which includes behaviour in team debriefs – to ensure that neither of its drivers are favoured.
"The drivers know explicitly every weekend it alternates," he added. "Last weekend it was Max drove out first, and Daniel would have followed him. Next weekend it will be the other way around.
"Even in the debrief, from weekend to weekend, it varies on who talks first. So it is the way to keep it as scrupulously fair as we can."
Share Or Save This Story
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Daniel Ricciardo shares heartfelt message after first Indy 500 visit brought back "childhood feelings"
Lando Norris reunites with Daniel Ricciardo for Indy 500 celebrations after disastrous Canadian GP
Daniel Ricciardo says life feels "more real" after abrupt F1 exit
"Make all mistakes now" – Why Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar want Red Bull to experiment for 2027
Max Verstappen laughs off Malaysian heat concerns: "Months of preparation to not give an F!"
The hidden F1 performance differentiator nobody is talking about in 2026
WRC Sardinia: Adrien Fourmaux heads Hyundai 1-2 after puncture-filled morning
George Russell: "Off the pace" Mercedes F1 car needs tweaking at Sepang
Why Takaaki Nakagami's injury is a bigger problem for Honda than it seems
Marco Bezzecchi retreated to pits after Motegi scare: “I’d already had enough” crashes
The hidden F1 performance differentiator nobody is talking about in 2026
As Mercedes looks to deal F1 2026 knockout blow, will its driver fight reignite?
Top 10 F1 results changed by backmarkers – the passes
The problem with Ferrari’s endless team principal speculation
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.
Top Comments