Horner not buying into Wolff's 'trick': 'Mercedes want to distract attention'

Red Bull Racing won four world titles in a row between 2010 and 2013, but have not been able to challenge for the world title since. All the prizes have gone to Mercedes since then, but in 2021 Horner hopes to put an end to that with his team. According to Horner, Red Bull are the favourites in the eyes of Mercedes, but that is a trick of Wolff.

Trick of Wolff

''Of course, it's used to try to put expectation and to try to create pressure. Of course, Toto will inevitably try to identify Red Bull as the favourite in order to create a perception of having to chase and catch up. But I just don't believe we are the favourites, to be honest with you. We're up against a seven times consecutive world champion. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to work out the odds: they will tell you who the favourite is,'' Horner told Motorsport.com.

According to the Red Bull team boss, it is therefore a trick used by Mercedes to divert attention. ''Mercedes has been tagging us as the favourite, and Toto is obviously extremely keen to deflect attention: but it's somewhat short sighted. When you look, they are seven time reigning world champions, they had one bad test. Their car was every bit quick as ours in the race in in Bahrain, and their tyre degradations looks very good,'' the Briton concluded.