Red Bull boss Christian Horner's nerves to be tested with F1 title race "to the wire"

Horner in Bahrain for pre-season testing — Photo: © LAT Images

Red Bull

Horner's nerves to be tested with F1 title race "to the wire"

Red Bull lead Mercedes by one point after five races

Ian Parkes

Thursday 3 June 2021 11:19

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner feels this season's captivating F1 title race will go "all the way to the wire" - although fears for his nerves should that situation arise.

For the first time since Red Bull's final championship triumph in 2013, the team again leads both the constructors' and drivers' standings following a considerable swing its way across the Monaco Grand Prix weekend.

Going into the race with a 29-point deficit to Mercedes, Red Bull now holds a one-point lead, while Max Verstappen has opened up a four-point gap to Lewis Hamilton who previously held a 14-point advantage.

Assessing the fight ahead Horner said: "I hope it goes all the way to the wire.

"That's what the fans would love to see, although I don't know if my nerves could take it.

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"If we could put Mercedes under that kind of pressure, because they haven't had that, only internally over the last seven years.

"We love racing them, and there's nothing more exciting than racing Lewis Hamilton, and that's what we want to do."

Will Red Bull's eye be taken off the ball?

A title fight with Mercedes would be difficult in any year but in a season when the teams have one eye on 2022 and the cars designed to sweeping new rules, the task is doubly demanding.

"Of course, it is difficult balancing the two things," added Horner. "But the team is doing a great job with that.

"At the moment we are juggling resources and obviously while there is an opportunity this year, we will absolutely go for it."

Horner's task is further complicated by the fact Red Bull is currently building its new powertrains department for when it takes on Honda's unit from next year, and ahead of developing its own system for 2025.

Asked whether there was a danger of that being a distraction, Horner replied: "It's exciting and demanding.

"It's long old days but the reward at the end of it, and the opportunity to get everything totally integrated, working as one team is fantastic.

"That's why there is so much excitement about this project because the two things can compliment each other.

"I've good people around me, we're attracting great people. It's about empowering people and giving them the tools to get on with the job, and that's always been my style."