Horner chuckles: "Well Ferrari have just fired most of their team"
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- GPblog.com
Christian Horner expects 2023 to be anything but an easy year for Red Bull Racing. The Austrian racing stable's team boss knows that Ferrari has a competitive car and he also expects a lot from Mercedes, which will no doubt be very keen to start the season after a year with just one win.
"Mercedes have not enjoyed playing a background role in this year's championship so motivation will be there to get back into a winning position," said Horner, quoted by Express, at an event hosted by sponsor PokerStars at its headquarters in Milton Keynes. "They're a strong team, a quality team and have very strong drivers. I half expect to see Mercedes back as a contender next year."
What can Ferrari do in 2023?
Ferrari started the season well and Charles Leclerc was leading by as many as 46 points at one point. However, that lead disappeared like snow in the sun and after the Austrian Grand Prix, the Maranello formation failed to grab a victory. That said, Red Bull had a tough first half of the season against Ferrari. "They had a good, competitive car this year," he said.
Ferrari will be looking for its first world title since 2007. It will not do so with team boss Mattia Binotto. The top Italian driver decided to leave. Horner expects a strong Ferrari in 2023. "Well Ferrari have just fired most of their team," he chuckled. Possibly it won't just be Binotto's exit. Strategy man Inaki Rueda and sporting director Laurent Mekies may also have to pack their bags.
McLaren, Alpine and Aston Martin
From the midfield, there are also a number of teams looking to make the jump to the absolute top. "I think McLaren are going through some changes, Alpine have made a step up and Aston Martin with Fernando Alonso next year could be interesting. Lots of movement going on around the field," Horner concluded.