Red Bull F1 championship lead "beyond expectations" - Horner
Red Bull F1 championship lead "beyond expectations" - Horner
Christian Horner has remained cautious of Red Bull's F1 title chances after revealing the team taking control of both championships surpassed expectations for the Monaco Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen demonstrated just why he is Lewis Hamilton's closest challenger for the drivers' crown with a commanding display to claim his maiden victory around the Principality whilst his rival languished in seventh.
With Sergio Perez finishing fourth and Valtteri Bottas retiring, Red Bull has taken the constructors' championship lead for the first time since winning in 2013 - by a point -whilst Verstappen leads a series for the first time in his career, opening up a four-point cushion to Hamilton.
"There is still a long, long way to go but when [Mercedes] have had an off day it is important for us to bank a lot of points," said Horner after the Dutchman's victory.
"For us to do that and come out leading both championships is beyond expectations, certainly coming into the weekend.
"It shows how close things are and things can move around very quickly. We have just got to keep in striking distance until the back end of the championship and that is where the pressure really comes.
"At the moment, when you are running through the races it is important to be reliable and consistent and not lose too much ground."
Perez close to clicking with Red Bull
Perez has shown glimpses of his true form since his switch to Red Bull over the winter, with solid displays in Bahrain and Monaco demonstrating his ability to move through the pack.
But despite qualifying second in Imola, Perez's lack of points compared to team-mate Verstappen has largely come down to his qualifying performance although Horner is adamant the Mexican is on the right track.
"He is finding Saturdays harder than Sundays," he added. "His race pace has generally been very very strong.
"I think Saturdays are still, we need to work with him to help him get comfortable but that will come.
"You can see the majority of drivers - with the exception of Carlos [Sainz] - who have changed teams this year, it has taken them a while to get up to speed.
"The tyres are more tricky as well this year which throws in another dynamic but he is getting there. A performance like [Sunday] only helps that."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 star apologises after China Sprint CLASH
- 24 minutes ago
Alonso reveals MISTAKE cost him in shock Red Bull battle - Top three verdict
- 1 hour ago
F1 star accuses team-mate of ‘crossing the line’ in battle
- 1 hour ago
F1 team lodge FIA PROTEST over Chinese Grand Prix qualifying result
- 2 hours ago
Hamilton in 's*** happens' outburst after huge China failure
- 3 hours ago
F1 News Today: Alonso hit with China PENALTY as Hamilton endures Shanghai nightmare
- 3 hours ago
Related news
F1 team announces 2026 title bid in BLOW to Red Bull
Wolff 'p*****' by Verstappen error as star makes Mercedes debut
Driver suggests Newey tempted by 'enticing' offer from F1 rivals
Geri Horner relationship verdict given in BIZARRE Ecclestone comparison
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