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Christian Horner response to Max Verstappen's 'found out' claim speaks volumes

27 May 2024 , 09:54
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Red Bull struggled for pace in Monaco and lost a lot of time at the Loews Hairpin in particular (Image: Getty Images)
Red Bull struggled for pace in Monaco and lost a lot of time at the Loews Hairpin in particular (Image: Getty Images)

Christian Horner insists no-one at Red Bull is panicking - but conceded that they are now under the cosh from their F1 rivals.

Max Verstappen has had things his own way for more than two years but the likes of Ferrari and McLaren are giving the champions a headache. Charles Leclerc's popular win in Monaco on Sunday means Verstappen has failed to win two of the last three races.

After qualifying down in sixth, the Dutchman declared his team has finally been "found out" after describing his car as a "go-kart" which struggled with kerbs in Monte Carlo. Team boss Horner admitted the weakness of Red Bull's fearsome cars has been exposed and is anticipating more pressure from other teams in the coming weeks.

He said: "I think we saw it in Singapore last year as well. I think we've had another example of that. We know it's an area of the car we need to work on. We have some lessons to take out of this weekend and some issues that we need to address with the car.

"Ferrari, McLaren, they're quick. It was always going to happen that there was going to be convergence. I think McLaren made a big step, Ferrari's step was very subtle. So let's see over the next two or three races. We're now getting into the meat of the championship so let's see. Montreal, Barcelona, Austria, Silverstone, let's see over the next few circuits how things pan out. It's a marathon, not a sprint. We expected this to be a tough weekend for us. Qualifying was difficult which then dictates where you are in the race."

Inside the driver call which upset Red Bull and changed the course of F1 history tdiqtiqkkiquuprwInside the driver call which upset Red Bull and changed the course of F1 history

While Red Bull are looking nervously over their shoulder at McLaren and Ferrari, they have yet to be troubled by a Mercedes team struggling to make progress. George Russell finished one place ahead of Verstappen, but that was because of his qualifying position and the fact overtaking was at a premium.

Lewis Hamilton was similarly stuck behind the Dutchman and refuted Russell's suggestion that Mercedes' result was "encouraging". And the seven-time F1 champion does not expect the next race in Montreal to bring him much more joy - even if he will have an upgraded car to work with.

Christian Horner response to Max Verstappen's 'found out' claim speaks volumesChristian Horner expects Red Bull's rivals to keep piling on the pressure (AFP via Getty Images)

Hamilton said: "I'm excited to go to Canada. I wouldn't say I'm excited about the prospect of racing there. I don't see a lot of difference. I'll go to Canada and as always give my absolute everything, and it's good to see the team are bringing performance."

Hamilton had the chance to undercut Verstappen in Monaco having pitted a lap earlier than the Red Bull racer. But he was not told by the team that his rival had headed for the pit lane and so did not know that, if he pushed to the maximum, he might have made sure Verstappen came out behind him.

Hamilton fumed about it over the radio and boss Toto Wolff admitted the team had messed up. The Austrian said: "That was a miscommunication first between us on the pit wall. We got that wrong, it should have been an 'out-lap critical' in trying to undercut. It was the wrong message to Lewis, and this is a team sport."

Daniel Moxon

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