Christian Horner Exclusive: Red Bull bosses on Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes rivalry

Watch our full interview with Red Bull boss Christian Horner about the 2021 title fight between Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton and why he’s excited about the team and the future of world champion Max Verstappen. There is

Red Bull boss Christian Horner has admitted he can understand why Lewis Hamilton’s fans were “upset” about last year’s Abu Dhabi title decider, but Max Verstappen ultimately won the championship. I believe it deserves

In an exclusive interview from home with Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle, Horner, the boss of Red Bull’s incredibly successful team, which has won nine F1 world titles, said his management style has made him a better partner with Mercedes. We talked about a variety of topics, even rivalry. The intense finale of 2021.

Verstappen and Hamilton entered the final race level in the points after an impressive campaign, but Abu Dhabi were embroiled in controversy after the Dutch overtook the seven-time champion who had dominated the race on the last lap. was born.

It was later confirmed that race director Michael Masi had applied the safety car rules in an incorrect manner, but it was ruled that ‘human error’ was a contributing factor. Leaving a certain FIA.

Horner said he understands why Hamilton fans feel overwhelmed, but prefers to watch the season as a whole and believes Verstappen deserves his first crown. person.

“I tend to always look forward, so Abu Dhabi seems like a long time ago,” said Horner. “The pages are always turned.

“If you are a Lewis fan or a Mercedes fan, I can understand that you would be quite upset with what happened in Abu Dhabi.

“If you’re a Max fan, you’ll feel redeemed earlier this year.

“That’s where the sport is always polarizing. Last year it was about 22 races, not just Abu Dhabi.

“Do you think Max deserves a championship? Absolutely. I’m not going to get hung up on it.”

Verstappen is on track for his second championship of the year, with an 80-point lead in the summer break, but Hamilton remains sixth in the standings with his Mercedes car much slower than expected. ing.

Horner: It’s so easy to ‘pull Toto’s chain’

Last year’s rivalry also leaked off the track, with Horner and Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff lashing out at frequent media outbursts throughout the season.

“It’s never personal!” Horner insisted he was paying homage to Wolff, but expressed his belief that he had “reached out” to Mercedes bosses.

“Toto is Toto. He has done an amazing job at Mercedes. Obviously he came into the sport from a very different background than I do. He has a very economic background. ”

“And it’s very easy to pull on his leash and you can see it. Sometimes it affects him. Of course, when you’re competing, last year was so hard and you can see it. Of course it was the first time he was in. It’s always interesting to see how people react in that situation.

“You know you’ve reached them when they’re breaking headphones or something.”

Asked if he thought he was a better team boss than Wolff, Horner said: “That’s not for me to judge…

“I focus on what I do. You are the judge and the jury. Sometimes Sky judges me, but it’s not for me. I do what I do.” He’s focused on what he’s doing…”

“I don’t think Fergie ever worried about that!”

Horner also explained how the public perception of him or his style has never affected him.

“If it bothers you, you shouldn’t be doing the job,” he told Brundle. “My job is to do what’s best for the team and the people I represent.

“If you look at someone like Sir Alex Ferguson, I don’t think he’s ever worried about what other managers or people think of him in the sport.

“My priority and privilege is to do the best for the people I represent.

“Whether it’s the promoters or the FIA, whether it’s getting the right shareholders or sponsors or the media, we’re doing the best we can with the tools we have.”