Horner calls out F1 rival over lack of Red Bull challenge
Horner calls out F1 rival over lack of Red Bull challenge
Christian Horner has said that in order for Ferrari to break their world championship drought, they should prioritise being a formidable racing team rather than solely an Italian one.
Currently holding the third position in the standings, Ferrari face a 20-point deficit to Mercedes as they approach the last two races of the season in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi.
Despite Mercedes' challenges at Interlagos, Ferrari struggled to take advantage due to recurring reliability issues. In a disappointing turn of events, a hydraulics problem caused Charles Leclerc to spin into the barriers and retire from the race during the formation lap. This setback occurred just as the Monegasque driver was poised to start from the front row of the grid.
Horner: Ferrari problem is pressure
“I think the biggest problem for Ferrari is that it’s a national team. It needs to get back to being a race team," Horner told the Eff Won with DRS podcast.
"It’s an Italian institution and there’s probably too many people at the top end. Everybody has an input and has a say.
"From the outside looking in, one of our strengths is that we move quickly, we make decisions and we stick to them.
“And if we make the wrong decision, we change the decision. I think, for Ferrari, the newspapers have such an influence on what happens there. So it’s a lot of pressure, being at Ferrari.”
The idea of Ferrari succumbing to pressure is somewhat evident. In 2022, the team made a blistering start, initiating the season with a one-two triumph in Bahrain. They capitalised on Verstappen's reliability issues, enabling Leclerc to establish a substantial championship lead.
Their promising start eventually unravelled, as Verstappen fought his way back to the top of the championship standings. This resurgence was attributed to a combination of Ferrari's strategic decisions and reliability issues.
Despite Ferrari's initial season dominance, any aspirations of a title battle were extinguished after the summer break. Verstappen concluded the season a significant 146 points ahead of Leclerc, who finished in second place in the standings.
READ MORE: Verstappen F1 engineer reveals 'biggest fear' with world champion
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Ricciardo given HUGE boost after upgrade claim
- 12 minutes ago
‘Absolute b******s’ - Newey’s wife SLAMS Red Bull F1 claims
- 1 hour ago
Norris INJURED at party with legendary DJ
- 2 hours ago
Newey tipped to POACH key Red Bull staff if he joins F1 rivals
- 3 hours ago
F1 paddock favourite admits immense DOUBTS over Verstappen Red Bull future
- Today 17:57
Hamilton F1 rival makes SURPRISE claim about Ferrari move
- Today 16:57
Related news
Newey tipped to POACH key Red Bull staff if he joins F1 rivals
F1 paddock favourite admits immense DOUBTS over Verstappen Red Bull future
Schumacher reveals how Mercedes could snare Verstappen
Ricciardo makes five-race admission in bid to survive F1 axe
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860