Red Bull Chief Slams FIA After Confirmation Of Azerbaijan GP Sprint Race: "Ludicrous!"
In a surprise move, Formula 1 has announced that Baku will host the first-ever sprint race on a street circuit this year. And while this might be one of the best things to come from sprint races from a fan's perspective, Red Bull F1 team's chief Christian Horner has voiced his displeasure with the decision, citing the potential cost and chaos of the event.
The Baku track is known for its fast and confined street circuit, and hosting a sprint race on top of the already-packed weekend schedule is sure to be a challenge. Horner, for one, is not looking forward to it.
"The reality is it's absolutely ludicrous to be doing the first sprint race of the year in a street race like Azerbaijan," Horner told Motorsport.com.
"From a cost cap perspective, all you can do is trash your car. And it costs a lot of money around there. So one race is enough in Baku, the fact that we've got two, there could be well some action there."
Spectacular or disastrous?
While the sprint race is expected to be a thrilling spectacle for fans, Horner is concerned about the impact it will have on the teams' budgets within the era of the cost cap.
"I think from a spectacle point of view, from a fan point of view, it's probably going to be one of the most exciting sprint races of the year," Horner conceded.
"But from a cost perspective, it's going to be very expensive."
The sprint race in Baku is just one of six that will be held in the 2023 season, and the first to take place on a street circuit. As the teams prepare for the last weekend of April, all eyes will be on the Azerbaijan weekend to see if the sprint race is a spectacular success or a disastrous failure. One thing is for sure, it will be an event not to be missed.