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Horner declares break opens possibility to catch 'benchmark' McLaren
Team principal Christian Horner believes Red Bull Racing can reovertake McLaren in terms of developing their car. While the British team had another strong showing in Singapore with Lando Norris winning ahead of Max Verstappen by 20 seconds, they have also taken their rivals in the constructors' standings already in Azerbaijan. However, Horner will not give up easily.
Horner: 'McLaren are the benchmark'
At the start of the current F1 season, Red Bull Racing continued where they left off in 2023, with Verstappen taking the first seven pole positions, and winning five Grands Prix. However, especially in recent weeks, McLaren have consolidated themselves at the top of the rankings, and also managed to overtake the Austrian's in the constructors' standings after the race in Azerbaijan.
"McLaren is the benchmark car at the moment. We have a bit to catch up, but we've got the people and the capability to do that," Horner said in Singapore.
Verstappen recently experienced problems with the balance of the RB20, especially in Monza. Now, Red Bull have the autumn break to get to the bottom of the issues and provide a fix, however, there will be a Sprint weekend at the Circuit of the Americas once F1 returns in October.
"I think we found a direction. Of course, that then opens up how you develop the car from here," Horner concluded.
This article was written in collaboration with Jeroen Immink
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