Before the exciting and rain-affected Belgian Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing’s Christian Horner gave us his views on what promises to be an unbelievably tight finish to the Formula One season. After the race was run, Red Bull held on to a slender lead in the Constructors’ Championship, while Lewis Hamilton had edged just ahead of Mark Webber in the Drivers’ title race. With regulation changes, night time races, hearings and drama in the offing, it all promises to be very exciting…
After Red Bull and Ferrari were accused of having excessively ‘bendy’ front wings, the FIA have introduced a tougher test here in Belgium. Have you adapted the wings to meet the new criteria?
CH: Actually the front wings we have here are the same as the front wings we had in Budapest. We’re happy they’ll meet the tests imposed by the FIA.
And what of the new test that will be applied to check the flex in the floor of the car from the race at Monza in two weeks time?
CH: I can’t see that it will affect us any more or any less than any of the other teams… I don’t think it poses any major concerns. We’ve been questioned so many times this year whether the subject is ride height systems or blown diffusers: now it’s front wings and then it’s floors. Our guys take it as a compliment that our car has attracted so much attention – which is understandable when it’s been as quick as it has – particularly in Budapest. Obviously with Spa being a very different circuit and very much dependent on horsepower that advantage isn’t so obvious.
© Getty Images for Red Bull Racing
So Spa – and Monza next week – are all about horsepower. Are Red Bull struggling in that area?
CH: Hungary is one of the circuits where power is the least significant, with medium-speed corners linked together with the shortest straights of the year. At Spa in sector one and sector three, it’s all about horsepower, with the long run up the hill through Eau Rouge and the long last sector of the track. These two races [Spa and Monza] don’t suit the strengths of our car.
Does their F-Duct still give McLaren an advantage?
CH: I think our version of the F-Duct is working very well now; we’ve made great progress with it, but it isn’t going to make up for a 30hp deficit. But, y’know, these championships are going to be won by the driver and team that are most consistent over the run-in. We think we’re in a good position. Leading the championships going into the break gave us a big lift and we’ve come back from that fully recharged.
Is there anything you need to do differently in the run-in?
CH: We need to keep doing what we’ve been doing, and keep focussing on what we’ve been good at: We’ve won six grands prix – more than any other team – and we could have won more. At every grand prix you learn something and try to apply those lessons in future races – but we have a very strong team, two great drivers. We’re well set but don’t underestimate the challenge of the McLarens and Ferrari.
So, will the championships be decided by the odd moments of luck or brilliance?
CH: I think it’ll come down to the little things at the end of the day: this race and the six to follow are like seven FA Cup finals. That applies to the drivers, the team… it means effectively 14 good starts, a minimum of 14 good pitstops, 14 good qualifying sessions. It’s going to be exciting.
It’s Mark Webber’s 34th birthday this weekend – how has he changed since first coming to Red Bull for the 2007 season?
CH: Well he’s four years older! Actually he hasn’t really changed in himself, but he has evolved. Like a fine wine, Mark has got better with age. He’s having a phenomenal season and driving fantastically well. He’s managed to sustain a very high level for pretty much the whole season now.
Has there been a key moment in his evolution?
CH: I think when he won his first grand prix, at the Nürburgring just over 12 months ago. It was a big moment for him and his confidence has grown significantly from that point. As a grand prix winner, he truly believes in his ability and his opportunity this year – as does Sebastian, which makes it such an exciting season.
Has Mark exceeded your expectations?
CH: I think he’s exceeded all of our expectations – including his own – in what he’s delivered this year. He has a huge challenge with the team-mate that he has – which is a great situation for the team. We have two guys at very different stages of their careers. It means there’s a different dynamic and a different approach in many respects. But the difference between them is minimal, but that could cover Lewis, Jenson and Fernando as well. Whoever strings a few results together over the next seven races could make all the difference.
Will there be a point where you have to decide to back one driver in that championship?
CH: That would be team orders. And those are not allowed!
Lewis Hamilton won the Belgian Grand Prix, with Mark Webber second. Hamilton (182) leads Webber (179) in the Drivers’ Championship while Red Bull Racing (330) lead McLaren (329) in the Constructors’ Championship.
Keep up with the Italalian Grand Prix on our event page. For inside gossip from the Formula One paddock, interrogate the Red Bull F1 Spy or get involved through the Red Bull Racing Community pages.
© Getty Images for Red Bull Racing
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