Red Bull team principal Christian Horner offers verdict on new F1 era

Red Bull

Horner offers verdict on new F1 era

The opening two races of the season have produced some thrilling action

Ian Parkes & Sam Hall

Saturday 2 April 2022 08:00

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has hailed the action from the thrilling opening two races of the new F1 season as "outstanding".

The new era of F1 has started in breathtaking style, with Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen battling for victory in both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and emerging with a win apiece.

In addition to the action at the front, there have been battles all through the field as drivers have been able to follow more closely under the new aerodynamic regulations and pass more often.

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"The really encouraging thing about these regulations is that in the first two races we have seen Charles and Max pass each other about 10 times, which we haven't seen in previous seasons," said Horner.

"It has been great racing between the two teams. Ferrari is very quick and we are expecting the competition to continue over the next few races.”

After beginning his F1 title defence with retirement in Bahrain, Verstappen bounced back in Jeddah to claim victory after a game of 'cat and mouse' with his Ferrari rival.

Neither driver was willing to give an inch as the pair pushed the boundaries in their eagerness to gain the DRS advantage.

Horner added: "Of a sample of two, you would have to say it is a big tick in the box for the ability to follow closely and race wheel to wheel. It has been outstanding."