Horner spoke to new FIA president: "He has a different approach to Todt"

12:26, 11 Mar 2022
4 Comments

Christian Horner spoke with Mohammed Ben Sulayem on Thursday morning. The Red Bull Racing team boss did not reveal too much about his conversation with the new FIA president. Furthermore, he states that he still does not agree with the way former race director Michael Masi had to leave.

Jean Todt left as FIA president last year and was succeeded by Ben Sulayem. Horner spoke with him personally in Bahrain. "What did he say to me? He has a lot of experience in rallying and is trying to understand how the F1 world moves. He has a different approach to Todt." So for all parties, it will take some getting used to and scanning.

One of the decisions the 60-year-old top executive made immediately was to send Masi away. The race director had to leave after his role in the outcome of last season's world championship. Max Verstappen previously indicated that Masi was thrown in front of the bus by the FIA and Horner concurs .""I'm very sorry to hear about Masi's fate, it's been tough for him."

Horner on Mercedes

At Sky Sports, the W13 also comes up for discussion. On Thursday Horner said that there were illegal parts on the Mercedes car, but a day later he is a lot more cautious. That will be partly prompted by the fact that the FIA has declared the German car completely legal. "Mercedes? I can't say, it's a very different and innovative concept, but we have to wait. A lot of teams will bring new things to the first race," he concludes.

4 Comments
Superman 11 March 2022 at 14:54+ 726

Any think with horner masi max in it flat out on it tryin to flip the script. Max masi an horner must be giving him nightmares at night

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FlatOut 11 March 2022 at 12:43+ 23225

Horner already trying to get a foot in the door. Wine, dine, romancing and all that. Then call in a favour when you need it. Which is just what they did in 2021 and that lead to Masi's removal that they seem so sad about. Totally oblivious that they caused his downfall.

JEM 11 March 2022 at 12:58+ 12694

Jeez dude, wouldn't it be normal for the new FIA president to meet with all team leaders. That is something very common even in business. You are framing again based an a single article.

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Nigerian prince 11 March 2022 at 17:17+ 634

I dare say this "brown envelope" type behaviour has gone on for years in various guises from all teams/TLs.