Horner apologises for FIA marshal outburst after summons

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has apologised for his outburst ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix in which volunteer marshals appeared to be targeted.

Horner was critical in the wake of Max Verstappen being handed a five-place penalty for failing to respect double-waved yellow flag regulations during qualifying.

That result in Horner citing a "balls-up" by the FIA, while also suggesting the penalty had been triggered by a "rogue marshal".

After being summoned by the stewards to respond, Horner was issued with an official warning and is to attend the FIA Stewards' Programme in February.

Claiming his words were misinterpreted, speaking to Sky Sports F1, Horner said: "Some comments were made in our interview earlier where you asked me about the marshalling and I would like to make it clear that marshals do a wonderful, wonderful job and volunteers do a wonderful job.

"My frustration in what I voiced earlier wasn't at marshals, it was at a circumstance. If any offence was taken by any individual then I obviously apologise for that.

"Still frustrating to end up with the situation we had but a phenomenal recovery by Max and the team today."

Put to him that he can be punchy, Horner replied: "I will tell you what I think. If I think you are being an arse, I will tell you you are being an arse.

"I have spoken to the FIA, I have apologised if any offence was created because it wasn't the intention.

"My frustration wasn't with an individual marshal, it was with the situation where one car goes through with no yellow, one car gets a single-yellow and one car gets a double-yellow.

"It was the inconsistency across that. We can learn from that and as a sport we can learn from that.

"All the marshals out there, we need you, you do a wonderful job and apologies if any offence was interpreted."

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