In the round-up: Red Bull began a hearing on the conduct of team principal Christian Horner on Friday but says its investigation is continuing.
In brief
Red Bull’s Horner investigation begins
Red Bull is due to launch its new car, the RB20, at its headquarters on Thursday. However it remains to be seen whether it will have decided the future of team principal Christian Horner by then.
The team’s Austrian owners confirmed on Monday it was looking into allegations relating to Horner’s conduct. It began an investigation yesterday which Horner was pictured heading to.
“As already stated, it would not be appropriate for us to comment before the investigation is completed,” a spokesperson for Red Bull Austria told RaceFans.
F3 field almost set as Bedrin takes PHM seat
PHM has become the latest F3 team to complete its line-up for the coming season. It has signed Nikita Bedrin to partner Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak and Joshua Dufek. ART is the only team left with a seat to fill for the new season.
Bedrin said his deal was “very last minute news and very unexpected, so a lot of hard work will have to be done.”
Larson surprised by IndyCar’s similarity to NASCAR
NASCAR Cup champion Kyle Larson said he was surprised by the similarities an IndyCar has to his usual machine after testing in preparation for his Indianapolis 500 debut.
The 2021 cup winner, who will race a fourth McLaren at the Indy 500 this year, said he was “really kind of surprised that it feels a lot like a Next Gen Cup car” after running at Phoenix this week.
“The way that just the grip of the tyre felt when I turned to the wheel to a point, get past the slip of the tyre, the sidewall, I felt like it all felt really similar to the Cup car. You’re just going faster.”
He believes recent changes to NASCAR’s stock car design have narrowed the gap between it and IndyCar racing. “The first change I think they raised the back of the car up, that made me loose in, that would have made me loose in the Cup car. Next they raised the front up to match the rear, that’s when I said I had less grip, I’m pretty sure that’s what that adjustment would have felt like in a Cup car, as well.
“Between the underbody and all that, the mechanics of the car, I feel like our stock cars are much similar. I guess what I’m getting at is that I hope it makes the transition between the two simpler than what it would have been four or five years ago.”
Barnard wins FRMEC opener in Yas Marina
Recently-confirmed Formula 2 driver Taylor Barnard won the opening race of the Formula Regional Middle East round at the Yas Marina yesterday. The PHM driver beat points leader Tuukka Taponen by less than half a second, the pair five seconds clear of Costa Toparis in third place.
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
Rookie Ritomo Miyata targeting wins and Championship fight with Rodin Motorsport in 2024 (Formula 2)
‘I will be driving a lot this season both in F2 and at the European Le Mans series and also as a World Endurance Championship reserve. So, every weekend I’ll be at a new circuit, so it will be good.’
Brewer setting example for girls with relentless drive (Indy Nxt)
‘This year it’s my goal to be a bit more aggressive because in the past, like, I’m a very aggressive driver, I really am. And that’s why people say, once you put the helmet on, you’re like a different person. And so, I’m excited to get back into that mindset. I think not be overly aggressive, but just be a bit more aggressive, and just not let any of the guys push me around.’
Wheldon wins in YACademy Winter Series as he warms up for USF Juniors (Formula Scout)
‘New Fernando Alonso protege and karting graduate Ayden Ingratta has joined Jay Howard Driver Development, while Exclusive Autosport has signed Canadian youngster Anthony Martella who already has experience in single-seaters and touring cars.’
Behind the Bricks: Unlocking Secret Safes (Indianapolis Motor Speedway)
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Social media
Notable posts from X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and more:
Here’s the #F1 field of 2024 so far…
More launches coming next week. pic.twitter.com/PTFspQu3z7
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) February 9, 2024
It appears to be open season on Christian Horner at the moment, and I find it pretty distasteful. Innocent until proven guilty people.
— Byron Young (@byronf1) February 8, 2024
I spoke off-the-record with a senior #F1 figure this week about Christian Horner: “From what I hear, I don’t think he’s going to make it. And I think that’s a shame, because he’s done a great job, he’s won lots of championships, and it’ll be a bit sad if it ends this way.” 1/2
— Adam Hay-Nicholls (@AdamHayNicholls) February 9, 2024
Formula 1 is not only one of the most exciting sports on the planet but is a fantastic place to build a career.
This National Apprenticeship Week we spoke to Sorsha, a mechanical engineering apprentice, to get her take on what it means for her future ambitions. #NAW2024 pic.twitter.com/nYh2EmaAGd
— F1 Media (@F1Media) February 9, 2024
Day 2 . #training @ompracing @BellRacingHQ pic.twitter.com/FSj7JHFlgd
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) February 9, 2024
The first heartbeats of the FW46 💙 pic.twitter.com/eS3Ws3IuXM
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) February 9, 2024
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Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Aqeel!
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