Christian Horner disbelief at Mercedes development plan

Red Bull

Horner disbelief at Mercedes development plan

Toto Wolff has declared there will be no further upgrades on W12 this season

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Monday 28 June 2021 18:14

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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has expressed disbelief at Toto Wolff's claim that Mercedes has ceased development on its car this season.

Wolff made the revelation after the conclusion of a Styrian Grand Prix in which Max Verstappen and Red Bull blew away their rivals to take victory by 35 seconds over Lewis Hamilton.

Although the sizeable margin was skewed by Hamilton's late pit stop in a successful bid to take the fastest lap bonus point, the gap between the championship rivals was still 15 seconds beforehand.

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F1 teams have been forced to make a decision as to when to turn full focus to radical new aerodynamic regulations resulting in new-look cars for 2022.

Despite Wolff suggesting work on this year's machinery had now finished, Horner was sceptical.

Suggested to Horner the F1 titles were now Red Bull's to lose given the team is continuing to develop the RB16B, he replied: "What Mercedes do is very much their business.

"We just focus on ourselves and we know that Toto likes to throw the light somewhere else.

"I cannot believe they will go through the rest of the year without putting a single component on the car.

"But as I say, all we can do is focus on our own job and unfortunately, there is a balancing act between this year and next year.

"If that means we have all got to work a bit harder, then the team is fully up for it."

Red Bull doing "phenomenal job" in development race

Red Bull has continued to add improvements to its car this year, with Wolff claiming 'van loads' of new parts were delivered to the track ahead of the Styrian GP.

But asked whether the team had a development plan set in stone rather than having flexibility available, Horner explained there is method in their approach.

"We have always believed as a race team that you have set developments," added Horner.

"For example, Monza, you know you have to make a set of wings for there, as with Monaco

"Of course, it is a balancing act between 2022 and this year but it is a matter of applying the resource selectively, carefully and efficiently.

"I think that the whole technical team, production team, operational teams are all doing a phenomenal job."