F1 News

Red Bull has lost luxury position according to Horner

Horner admits: 'Now more satisfaction, but also more stress for Red Bull'

9 July at 20:00
2
  • Nicole Mulder

2023 was the most dominant year since McLaren won all but one race in 1988. Last year, Red Bull Racing won 21 out of 22 races, 19 of which were in Max Verstappen's name. This year, the competition has gotten a lot closer, and although Christian Horner had seen this coming somewhat, he admits it is a lot more stressful.

Horner: 'Last year less stressful for Red Bull'

Red Bull's team boss admits to GPblog and others that this year is considerably more exciting for his team. "When we were winning races by 30, or 40 seconds last year, it was slightly less stressful. It's weird because when you're winning races by that margin, you're just focused on reliability and other elements. Now you don't get a chance to think about reliability because it's all about driving flat out," Horner said.

"I think it's more rewarding to win a hard-fought race. Of course it is. 2023, I think only with hindsight will become a very special year in what was achieved that year. Because it really was, I keep referring to it as a unicorn year. They don't exist.," he adds.

"What we did last year was never achieved before and may never be achieved again. So this is far more normal Formula One, but we still have an 80-something-point lead in the driver's championship and have extended our lead in the constructors on Sunday," Horner said.

This article was written in collaboration with Sophia Crothall.