F1 Bahrain GP 2024 LIVE: Sainz tops practice results as qualifying gets underway

Qualifying in Bahrain is drawing ever nearer – but why is race day at the first grand prix of the new season on a Saturday?

Geri Horner has landed in Bahrain on a private jet to meet her husband, Christian Horner, hours after what appeared to be a series of sexually suggestive messages between the Red Bull team boss and a female subordinate were leaked.

The F1 team principal, 50, was cleared of “inappropriate behaviour” on Wednesday after a three-week internal probe, following allegations from a female colleague which were strongly denied.

Sources close to the singer say was “relieved and elated” when the case against Horner was thrown out having been reduced to “floods of tears” while waiting on the outcome of the investigation, according to The Sun.

Horner, the Red Bull F1 boss, was cleared of “inappropriate behaviour” on Wednesday after a three-week internal probe conducted by an external lawyer, following allegations from a female colleague which were strongly refuted by Horner.

However, just 24 hours later, WhatsApp texts and pictures – some of a sexually suggestive nature – were leaked from an anonymous source to the sport’s prominent figures and members of the media, allegedly showing conversations between Horner and the complainant. The Independent has seen the leaked material, a Google Drive with 79 separate documents, but is unable to verify the authenticity of the content.

When your new team principal, Ayao Komatsu, admits early on that your team will be “towards the back of the grid, if not last”, it indicates immediate pessimism about the upcoming season.

Tenth in two out of the last three seasons, Haas appear least likely to improve given the current discussions around their car. Guenther Steiner’s dismissal as team boss may well have dampened morale, too. Whether he is a bigger loss to the team or the sport remains to be seen.

Williams and RB look promising. Stake (Sauber) may run Haas closest in the battle to avoid the wooden spoon.

Carlos Sainz is unlikely to join Red Bull, team advisor Helmut Marko has suggested, with the Spaniard likely to have decided on his next destination before Red Bull decide if they have a seat to offer him.

Hungaroring, Budapest – 19-21 July

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps – 26-28 July

Circuit Zandvoort – 23-25 August

Monza Circuit – 30 August – 1 September

Baku City Circuit – 13-15 September

Marina Bay Street Circuit – 20-22 September

ROUND 19 – UNITED STATES (sprint race)

Circuit of the Americas, Austin – 18-20 October

Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City – 25-27 October

ROUND 21 – BRAZIL (sprint race)

Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo – 1-3 November

Las Vegas Street Circuit – 21-23 November

ROUND 23 – QATAR (sprint race)

Lusail International Circuit, Lusail – 29 November – 1 December

Yas Marina Circuit – 6-8 December

Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir – 29 February – 2 March

Jeddah Corniche Circuit – 7-9 March

Albert Park, Melbourne – 22-24 March

Suzuka International Racing Course – 5-7 April

ROUND 5 – CHINA (sprint race)

Shanghai International Circuit – 19-21 April

ROUND 6 – MIAMI (sprint race)

Miami International Autodrome, Hard Rock Stadium – 3-5 May

Imola Circuit – 17-19 May

Circuit de Monaco – 24-26 May

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal – 7-9 June

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – 21-23 June

ROUND 11 – AUSTRIA (sprint race)

Red Bull Ring, Spielberg – 28-30 June

Silverstone Circuit – 5-7 July

Steiner lost his job at Haas in January after eight seasons leading the American team in Formula 1, with team owner Gene Haas opting for a change with trackside engineering director Ayao Komatsu promoted to team boss.

Yet Steiner, known for his colourful language and entertaining appearances on Netflix’s Drive to Survive, has now found a new job with RTL, who broadcast F1 in Germany.

Embattled Red Bull team principal Christian Horner will be back in the Formula One paddock for qualifying ahead of Saturday’s Bahrain Grand Prix.

Horner’s future is again in the spotlight after hundreds of WhatsApp messages appearing to be written by him to a female colleague were leaked.

On Wednesday, Horner was cleared to continue as Red Bull team principal following an internal probe into “inappropriate behaviour” by the F1 team’s parent company Red Bull GmbH. He has always denied the claims.

But just 24 hours later, messages and a number of images apparently exchanged between Horner and the complainant were sent from an anonymous email account to 149 members of the F1 paddock – including FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and the grid’s nine other team principals, as well as members of the media – on the eve of this weekend’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Horner said in a statement: “I will not comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate I have always denied the allegations.

“I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and fully cooperated with it every step of the way.

“It was a thorough and fair investigation conducted by an independent specialist barrister and it has concluded dismissing the complaint made.

“I remain fully focused on the start of the season.”