Bahrain Grand Prix: focus on the Red Bull vs Mercedes 4th corner controversy

Second a breath away from Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen will certainly be ruminating on his overtaking on the 53rd lap. Back in the gearbox of the Mercedes after his 2nd pit stop, the Dutchman made a great move over several corners.

Back to the start/finish line, Red Bull driver #33 finally caught up with Mercedes #44, to overtake them in the 4th turn. Except Verstappen went with all 4 wheels outside the curb!

In the process, his race engineer asked him to let Hamilton pass again.

Except that the blur remains! In the race, Lewis Hamilton himself crossed the white line of Turn 4 several times, even though we are not talking about overtaking in this specific case. The Grand Prix winner was reminded by his engineer but did not receive any investigation or penalty from the FIA.

Red Bull, the sprinkler sprinkled?

So, is the Red Bull team the one being caught out in this matter? Christian Horner confirms to Sky Sports that he asked the FIA during the race about the rules in this 4th turn. And if the drivers were able to exceed the limit in free practice and qualifying, the FIA reminded them of the following thing.

Explanation from the Red Bull Racing team principal, Christian Horner:

We received an instruction from the race direction. Once you receive this instruction, you have to let it pass. That’s what he did.

Christian Horner: « we received an instruction from the race direction. Once you receive this instruction, you have to let them pass. That’s what Max did. »

But a troubling element, Charles Leclerc admitted to journalist Will Buxton’s microphone that there were no penalties for drivers who went beyond the track limits at turn 4. Especially since the race direction had removed its electronic sensor for a looser visual surveillance.

So, lack of clarity from the FIA or misinterpretation by Red Bull? Verstappen had the potential to secure the first win of the season but it was Hamilton who triumphed in Bahrain.