Red Bull F1 Boss Wary of New Race Directors Amidst ‘Overzealous’ Penalties in Melbourne

Penalties are a huge point of debate for the F1 community. Everyone has different views and opinions about them. Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, is someone who has a strong say in the matter of penalties being handed out.

He had a lot to say about the number of penalties that were handed out in free practice sessions of the recent Australian GP.

Christian Horner speaks his mind about the penalties handed out at the Australian GP

Christian Horner has been very outspoken about the recent penalties being handed out. 5 penalty points in a season would lead to a grid penalty which spells bad news for drivers. However, recently F1 can even dish out penalties over jewelry and fireproof underwear.

Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 19, 2022 Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner during qualifying. Pool via REUTERS/Giuseppe Cacace

Regarding the recent crackdown on the Australian GP, Horner has expressed, “Too many penalties in practice one is… the biggest thing, I think, as a deterrent for the drivers, is fine. That tends to be what hurts them the most so maybe we should look at fines rather than reprimands and potential grid penalties.”

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As the drivers were getting used to a new layout, Horner also added, “You don’t want to be too overzealous, I wouldn’t think, in FP1 on a circuit that’s relatively new and so on.” Through this, he was addressing the penalties handed out in the recent Australian GP. Horner also requested simplified regulations, “I think we just need to come up with and simplify some of these regulations.”

What are your thoughts on the penalties that were handed out to drivers, like Sebastian Vettel?

How Red Bull have fared so far in the 2022 season

The team has had some mixed fortunes when it has come to the 2022 season. They have nearly been on par with Ferrari when it comes to pace. However, lady luck has not sided with them when it comes to reliability.

Formula One F1 – Australian Grand Prix – Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia – April 7, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in action during practice REUTERS/Martin Keep

The team suffered a double retirement in Bahrain with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez both facing fuel pump issues in the season opener in Bahrain. The second race in Jeddah saw them fare better and pick up huge points. However, the more of the same followed in Australia, with Max Verstappen again retiring due to an engine fuel leak.

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The team will hope for better fortune in Italy when F1 goes to Imola for the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

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