Exclusive interview with Red Bull’s Christian Horner
Fresh from clinching their maiden constructors’ championship in Brazil, Red Bull have arrived in Abu Dhabi with Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel in the hunt for the drivers’ title. Whilst the other two contenders - Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton - can count on the support of their team mates, the Red Bull duo will be fighting on their own. However, team principal Christian Horner isn’t worried...
Q: Christian, there are four title contenders left and two can rely on support from their team mate. Your two drivers have to rely on themselves…
Christian Horner: Yes, there are still four guys that can win this championship and as a team we are very fortunate that both of our drivers are part of the four. Mark is mathematically in a better position than Sebastian, but ultimately they both know that they have to finish. Without finishing they cannot win the title and in certain scenarios both have the potential to win. Both of them will do their best. I am sure they will do everything to achieve the best result - not just for themselves but also for the team.
Q: How much easier would it be if one of them could count on his team mate?
CH: Well, they’ve raced each other all year, as that is the way we have chosen to go racing in Formula One. They both have the chance this weekend and we will back them equally with the same equipment and the same opportunities. However, if one finds himself in a situation where he can’t win - of course it will be their choice - but I am sure they will do their best for the team.
Q: Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz also said recently that he is banking on the drivers making the right decision. What is the right decision?
CH: They obviously drive for a fantastic team and they have obviously contributed very significantly to this years constructors’ title success. They both respect not just Red Bull Racing but also the Red Bull brand. Obviously, ultimately, it will always be the driver’s decision, but I am sure they recognise the team that they drive for and will ultimately do the right thing for the team.
Q: So what would happen if Vettel is in the lead of the race, ahead of Webber and a third-placed Alonso?
CH: It is very difficult indeed. On the one hand you are driving for yourself and on the other hand you are driving for a team. You rely on all those members of the team so it is a horrible question to be faced with as a driver. But ultimately you recognise that you are driving for a team and it is important to do the right thing for the team. Both are team players. In the same situation I am convinced that both would do the right and honourable thing.
Q: But if Alonso has a problem at the start or goes out of the race, they will be free to race?
CH: Absolutely. At that point both are racing for the world championship. The risk that Lewis Hamilton has a ‘free ride’ to the championship is there, but as Dietrich always tells me, if there’s no risk, there’s no fun!
Q: Ferrari and McLaren have won so many titles, but either Vettel or Webber could make history by winning the team’s first-ever drivers’ title…
CH: It would be the second big thing. The first big thing was achieved in Brazil. That win is hugely significant within the team. With the drivers’ championship, we will be able to sleep comfortably at night knowing that we’ve given both an equal chance and a fantastic opportunity. I am sure that both will give their best. It will be fascinating because both our guys have nothing to lose but to go for it. Fernando is in a slightly less comfortable position because he is sitting on a lead, albeit a relatively small lead. Going into the race, the approach of the drivers will be very different, with both our guys firmly believing that they have a chance.
Q: Is there more pressure for Webber as it could be his last chance?
CH: For Mark it has been a fantastic season. He has won four Grands Prix this year and this represents the best opportunity he’s had so far in his career. Such an opportunity doesn’t come along for any driver that often and when you are 34 years-old, you certainly want to grab it.
Q: How much of a relief is it to have clinched the constructors’ title in Brazil?
CH: Well, it is one element that has been dealt with successfully. That is fantastic and gives us the chance to focus entirely on the drivers’ title this weekend. This weekend is all about what the drivers do and we will give them the best possible support that we can. This year we have won eight races - nobody has won more than that. We have had 14 pole positions so far this year and four one-two finishes. So from a team perspective it has been a fantastic year - and the icing on the cake would be to claim the drivers’ championship. The constructors’ is the big one for the team - it is how the different departments measure themselves against their competitors. Whether it is aerodynamics, manufacturing, upgrade ability or pit stops. So the constructors’ actually is the bigger championship. The drivers’ title is the one that carries the prestige and the public remembers most. Ultimately they have a very similar value to the team.
Q: Both your drivers have achieved a lot this year. Both have very different characters. Why does each deserve the title?
CH: Mark’s commitment, dedication and sheer hard work over his career. He would be a very worthy champion and I believe a very popular champion. In Sebastian’s case he is a prestigious talent, he is a really exciting driver to watch and he has never given up. Despite all the bad luck that he has had this season, he has never given up. He has a great character and personality and therefore he would be an equally fitting champion. Both would be very deserving.
Q: In Brazil Webber reportedly said that he doesn’t feel he has the full emotional support of the team. Have you talked to him about that?
CH: I think that Mark said a few things in Brazil. When you are fighting for the championship sometimes emotions boil over because Mark knows the amount of support, backing and opportunity the team has provided him with. Sometimes drivers will use whatever is within their means to put pressure on their opponents, and I read nothing more into that situation.
Q: The last driver who said similar things was Alonso at McLaren - and he was fired…
CH: We have no plans to fire Mark. He and Sebastian will be our drivers in 2011.
Q: Red Bull confirmed they will continue to use Renault engines next year. Did you just give in to the inevitable?
CH: We have a great relationship with Renault. We have a close working partnership. Without their support the results this year would not have been possible. All our 14 victories so far have been with Renault engines and we are delighted to move that partnership forward. We are absolutely sure that the deficits that we have seen this year are addressed through the different working groups. As a partner they are ideal for Red Bull. We would not have committed to them if we hadn’t been sure that they are committed to Formula One and they’ve made their commitment to being an engine supplier very clear to us. That is why the relationship has grown between the two companies. This is also visible on the car itself.
Q: Mateschitz has said that after the two-year contract with Renault he can imagine building his own engine. How could that work?
CH: With Red Bull anything is possible. For now we have to see what the engine regulations will be. It is important for us to work with an engine manufacturer like Renault over the next couple of years.
Q: Red Bull has to slim down in size next year…
CH: We have never been the size of Ferrari or McLaren, so for us it has a much lower impact than for the other two teams. There will be a slight impact but hopefully it will not be significant.
Q: Who do you think will win the race - and the championship?
CH: I don’t care as long as it is a Red Bull car and a Red Bull driver!
Q: Christian, there are four title contenders left and two can rely on support from their team mate. Your two drivers have to rely on themselves…
Christian Horner: Yes, there are still four guys that can win this championship and as a team we are very fortunate that both of our drivers are part of the four. Mark is mathematically in a better position than Sebastian, but ultimately they both know that they have to finish. Without finishing they cannot win the title and in certain scenarios both have the potential to win. Both of them will do their best. I am sure they will do everything to achieve the best result - not just for themselves but also for the team.
Q: How much easier would it be if one of them could count on his team mate?
CH: Well, they’ve raced each other all year, as that is the way we have chosen to go racing in Formula One. They both have the chance this weekend and we will back them equally with the same equipment and the same opportunities. However, if one finds himself in a situation where he can’t win - of course it will be their choice - but I am sure they will do their best for the team.
Q: Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz also said recently that he is banking on the drivers making the right decision. What is the right decision?
CH: They obviously drive for a fantastic team and they have obviously contributed very significantly to this years constructors’ title success. They both respect not just Red Bull Racing but also the Red Bull brand. Obviously, ultimately, it will always be the driver’s decision, but I am sure they recognise the team that they drive for and will ultimately do the right thing for the team.
Q: So what would happen if Vettel is in the lead of the race, ahead of Webber and a third-placed Alonso?
CH: It is very difficult indeed. On the one hand you are driving for yourself and on the other hand you are driving for a team. You rely on all those members of the team so it is a horrible question to be faced with as a driver. But ultimately you recognise that you are driving for a team and it is important to do the right thing for the team. Both are team players. In the same situation I am convinced that both would do the right and honourable thing.
Q: But if Alonso has a problem at the start or goes out of the race, they will be free to race?
CH: Absolutely. At that point both are racing for the world championship. The risk that Lewis Hamilton has a ‘free ride’ to the championship is there, but as Dietrich always tells me, if there’s no risk, there’s no fun!
Q: Ferrari and McLaren have won so many titles, but either Vettel or Webber could make history by winning the team’s first-ever drivers’ title…
CH: It would be the second big thing. The first big thing was achieved in Brazil. That win is hugely significant within the team. With the drivers’ championship, we will be able to sleep comfortably at night knowing that we’ve given both an equal chance and a fantastic opportunity. I am sure that both will give their best. It will be fascinating because both our guys have nothing to lose but to go for it. Fernando is in a slightly less comfortable position because he is sitting on a lead, albeit a relatively small lead. Going into the race, the approach of the drivers will be very different, with both our guys firmly believing that they have a chance.
Q: Is there more pressure for Webber as it could be his last chance?
CH: For Mark it has been a fantastic season. He has won four Grands Prix this year and this represents the best opportunity he’s had so far in his career. Such an opportunity doesn’t come along for any driver that often and when you are 34 years-old, you certainly want to grab it.
Q: How much of a relief is it to have clinched the constructors’ title in Brazil?
CH: Well, it is one element that has been dealt with successfully. That is fantastic and gives us the chance to focus entirely on the drivers’ title this weekend. This weekend is all about what the drivers do and we will give them the best possible support that we can. This year we have won eight races - nobody has won more than that. We have had 14 pole positions so far this year and four one-two finishes. So from a team perspective it has been a fantastic year - and the icing on the cake would be to claim the drivers’ championship. The constructors’ is the big one for the team - it is how the different departments measure themselves against their competitors. Whether it is aerodynamics, manufacturing, upgrade ability or pit stops. So the constructors’ actually is the bigger championship. The drivers’ title is the one that carries the prestige and the public remembers most. Ultimately they have a very similar value to the team.
Q: Both your drivers have achieved a lot this year. Both have very different characters. Why does each deserve the title?
CH: Mark’s commitment, dedication and sheer hard work over his career. He would be a very worthy champion and I believe a very popular champion. In Sebastian’s case he is a prestigious talent, he is a really exciting driver to watch and he has never given up. Despite all the bad luck that he has had this season, he has never given up. He has a great character and personality and therefore he would be an equally fitting champion. Both would be very deserving.
Q: In Brazil Webber reportedly said that he doesn’t feel he has the full emotional support of the team. Have you talked to him about that?
CH: I think that Mark said a few things in Brazil. When you are fighting for the championship sometimes emotions boil over because Mark knows the amount of support, backing and opportunity the team has provided him with. Sometimes drivers will use whatever is within their means to put pressure on their opponents, and I read nothing more into that situation.
Q: The last driver who said similar things was Alonso at McLaren - and he was fired…
CH: We have no plans to fire Mark. He and Sebastian will be our drivers in 2011.
Q: Red Bull confirmed they will continue to use Renault engines next year. Did you just give in to the inevitable?
CH: We have a great relationship with Renault. We have a close working partnership. Without their support the results this year would not have been possible. All our 14 victories so far have been with Renault engines and we are delighted to move that partnership forward. We are absolutely sure that the deficits that we have seen this year are addressed through the different working groups. As a partner they are ideal for Red Bull. We would not have committed to them if we hadn’t been sure that they are committed to Formula One and they’ve made their commitment to being an engine supplier very clear to us. That is why the relationship has grown between the two companies. This is also visible on the car itself.
Q: Mateschitz has said that after the two-year contract with Renault he can imagine building his own engine. How could that work?
CH: With Red Bull anything is possible. For now we have to see what the engine regulations will be. It is important for us to work with an engine manufacturer like Renault over the next couple of years.
Q: Red Bull has to slim down in size next year…
CH: We have never been the size of Ferrari or McLaren, so for us it has a much lower impact than for the other two teams. There will be a slight impact but hopefully it will not be significant.
Q: Who do you think will win the race - and the championship?
CH: I don’t care as long as it is a Red Bull car and a Red Bull driver!
Credit: Formula One Administration Ltd
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