F1 News

Horner reaction after Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort

Horner reveals this Red Bull Racing 'gamble' went wrong

25 August at 16:33
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  • Cas van de Kleut

Max Verstappen had to settle for second place in his home race. It is the fifth race in a row that the Dutchman has failed to win, and team boss Christian Horner has revealed a gamble that went wrong for Red Bull. Still, the Red Bull boss believes races can still be won this season.

Despite a good start from Verstappen, where he passed Lando Norris, the Dutchman couldn't challenge for the race win. The McLaren car had a lot more speed, allowing Norris to pass the championship leader quite quickly.

Horner: 'Work to do for Red Bull'

After the race, Horner spoke of damage limitation. Horner spoke about this with Viaplay. "Having got the lead, you suddenly start to think. He managed to break the DRS. But then it was very clear that suddenly Lando from lap 5, 6 onwards started to come back quite hard. We just didn't have the pace today. With hindsight, the gamble that we made with the more downforce perhaps wasn't the best route. And looking at Checo's pace, it looked like it was easier for him in the second half of the race. McLaren were very quick today. We've got work to do to get more pace."

The difference between Verstappen and Norris in the championship is 70 points. "It's only the fourth time this year his lead has been reduced. But we've got to keep scoring. And on the days you can't win, you've got to finish second. And he did that today. Checo drove a decent race as well. His pace was was solid. So we know we need to improve the car. And I think we got some good lessons out of this race."

This article has been written in collaboration with Matt Gretton