Horner serves FIA duty for Qatar GP 'rogue marshal' comment

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Red Bull team boss Christian Horner completed this weekend the obligation levied upon him by the FIA for a derogatory comment aimed at a steward during last November's Qatar Grand Prix.

At Losail, Horner had severely criticized a five-place grid penalty handed to Max Verstappen for breaching yellow flags in the Saturday qualifying session.

The Briton said the sanction, which he felt at the time had dealt a big blow to Verstappen's chances for the race, had originated from a "rogue marshal" who had incorrectly "stuck a flag out" without any instruction from the FIA.

However, the governing body was unimpressed with Horner's comments and summoned the Red Bull chief to the stewards' office on race day for bringing the sport into disrepute under the International Sporting Code.

Horner was subsequently handed a warning, but later apologized to the FIA for the comment which he said had been made "under the pressure of competition following the penalty imposed on the driver of car 33".

The Briton also offered to participate in the 2022 FIA International Stewards Programme in early February, an offer the stewards "unreservedly" accepted.

Read also: Steiner confident FIA will resolve Abu Dhabi controversy

Horner therefore took part in this weekends' virtual two day programme which was attended online by stewards from all over the world. The sessions addressed ways to improve marshalling in various categories of motorsport and included interventions from regular FIA F1 stewards Gary Connelly and Tim Mayer.

In a Q&A, Horner spoke about his responsibilities as team manager for Red Bull Racing and the importance of the outfit's relationship with the FIA.

He also participated in a competitors’ panel dedicated to stewarding chaired by F1 race director Michael Masi and on which featured Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, former Formula E champion Antonio Felix da Costa, Toyota WRC boss Jari-Matti Latvala and Ford WRC driver Adrien Fourmaux.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.