On International Women’s Day, F1 broadcaster Laura Winter addressed the challenge women face in Formula 1, notably amid recent controversies such as accusations leveled against Red Bull team principal Christian Horner for ‘inappropriate behaviour’. Though Horner was cleared following an internal investigation, the discourse highlighted the ongoing struggle for gender equality within the sport. Winter’s comments emphasized resilience and the rightful place of women in Formula 1, celebrating female representation and progress, particularly in light of the F1 Academy’s race in Saudi Arabia—a country that lifted its ban on women drivers as recently as 2018.

Meanwhile, Christian Horner is under continued scrutiny due to a texting scandal, with Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, coming to his defence. Jos implied that despite the challenges, he expects Horner to maintain his position through the season. The controversy has introduced tension within the Red Bull Team, particularly regarding the roles of Horner and motorsport advisor Helmut Marko. Max Verstappen has explicitly stated his intention to leave the team should Marko be ousted, highlighting the internal dynamics and possible ramifications on the team’s future in the championship. This turbulence coincides with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where Verstappen is set to start from pole position.

In another sporting event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, British boxer Anthony Joshua delivered a significant victory over MMA champion Francis Ngannou in a crossover fight, achieving a knockout in the second round. This fight underscored the risks of matching competitors from different fighting disciplines and sparked discussions on the legitimacy and safety concerns of crossover fights. Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, lauded him as the “baddest man on the planet” while also hinting at the need for focusing on traditional boxing matches like the anticipated clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury for the heavyweight championship. Joshua’s victory and the broader implications of crossover bouts have ignited debates on the integrity and future of combat sports.