Horner plays down Red Bull's title chances

  • Published on 20 Mar 2019 15:51
  • comments 3
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has played down talk of a title challenge this season.

The Briton says it's too early to know the energy drink team's real potential after an impressive display in Australia saw it step onto the podium, while Ferrari failed to reach the top three.

In what is its first season with Honda as its engine supplier, Horner says only time will tell where Red Bull stand compared to its rivals.

"I think it's too early to talk about championships," he said. "But certainly to be on the podium is a great moment for Honda.

"We're very proud of that achievement, grateful for the product they've given us. Hopefully it's a starting point for a strong season.

"We want to close the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari [and] we've done that. It's only one race but we have a good start and we have to build on this positive energy."

Honda secured its first podium finish since returning as an engine manufacturer in 2015, as Max Verstappen managed to overtake Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel on the way to third place.

However his teammate Pierre Gasly struggled after dropping out in Q1, going on to cross the line in eleventh place.

"It's still early days," Horner said of the Frenchman. "There's always pressure in Formula 1 but I thought he drove a good race. He just needs a straightforward weekend.

"He built his way into the weekend very well, his feedback's very strong. We know he's got the pace, we've just got to give the kid a bit of time and it'll come right for him."

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • Dert38

    Posts: 377

    Wow! Brainy thoughts from the energy drink team

    • + 0
    • Mar 20 2019 - 18:57
  • A strong start for sure, but STR and RB looked pretty convincing on a track they historically don't do well on, but Bahrain should be more representative. Aus could be a freak in a positive way (this was the worst they had to show, it'll only get better from now on) or it is a freak in a bad way (this was the good exception, now prepare to get smoked).

    • + 0
    • Mar 20 2019 - 19:29
  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    As an team manager you should not put pressure on your team when it's not needed, actually the opposite will be his goal i.e. putting pressure on Mercedes and removing pressure Ferrari. The whole Ferrari will come good thing is actually more about not waking them up to the fact that they need to improve more.

    It's been some time that and RBR was top of the speed charts and with 319.9 kph the will be pretty happy.

    The same with the Honda engine, stating that it's great doesn't help, that's why they are saying its good but needs improvement.

    • + 0
    • Mar 21 2019 - 11:56

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Nov 16 1973 (51)
  • Place of b. Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England, GB
  • Weight 0 kg
  • Length 0 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar