Hamilton 'hanging around in F1' threatens "more titanic battles" - Horner

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is relishing the prospect of "more titanic battles" with Lewis Hamilton after the seven-time F1 champion signed a new two-year deal with Mercedes.

Hamilton has been F1's dominant driver over the past seven years, winning six of his titles without too much opposition.

This season, however, Red Bull has found an answer to the superiority of the Silver Arrows to take the lead in both the constructors' and drivers' standings.

Speaking during the final practice session ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix topped by Verstappen by half-a-second over Hamilton, Horner told Sky Sports F1: "It [Hamilton's deal] is good for Formula 1.

"Lewis has obviously achieved an enormous amount so for him to be hanging around for another couple of years is good for the sport and hopefully we can have a lot more titanic battles with him."

A "straightforward" summer deal for Perez?

Hamilton's contract means the 36-year-old Briton and Verstappen are now locked into deals that expire at the end of 2023.

On the other side of each garage, Valtteri Bottas and Perez face uncertain futures as both are out of contract at the end of this year.

For Perez, at least, his situation is likely to be resolved sooner rather than later.

Horner explained: "We're really happy with the job Checo is doing so we will be sitting down with him in due course.

"But there are a few races to get out of the way between now and the summer break.

"I don't think it will be a lengthy discussion. It's pretty straightforward, so at the right time we will have that chat."

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