Horner clarifies 'ludicrous' comment on Baku Sprint

Christian Horner has clarified the comments he made last month in Melbourne about Formula 1's decision to hold the first of its six Sprint events in the high-risk environment of Baku.

The Red Bull team boss called the sport's choice of Baku "ludicrous" and a big mistake, citing the risk of a major accident occurring on the tight and twisty street circuit at a time when teams are still building up their supply of spare parts.

Furthermore, Baku will be followed next week by Miami, another street circuit, which only adds to potential supply issues in the event of a damage-laden weekend in Azerbaijan.

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Horner said that his criticism last month was "taken a little bit out of context".

"What I said was it is completely mad to be doing a Sprint race here at this circuit, probably one of the most dangerous on the calendar from a team's point of view because the jeopardy, the damage that potentially is there with another street race next weekend," Horner told Sky Sports in Baku after FP1.

"But from a fan's point of view, from an action point of view, it is going to be flat-out racing all weekend here.

"So I think there is going to be plenty of action and it is going to be about trying to navigate your way through it as seamlessly as you can."

Red Bull concluded Friday's single practice session first and third with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Despite the disrupted running and a red flag neutralization, the team managed to run through its programmes.

"We got some data across two compounds of tyres, we have had a look at two variants of fuel loads," said Horner.

"It is now a matter of processing that data because this is the last chance for engineers and drivers to introduce a change before qualifying because the cars are essentially in lockdown."

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