CHRISTIAN HORNER believes that Red Bull’s cordial relationship with Ferrari will “boil over” at some point this season, as the stakes continue to grow.
Last year’s championship battle was wrought with tension between Red Bull and Mercedes, as both fought hammer and tong on and off the track.
Christian Horner and Toto Wolff were often at loggerheads last season
Following the drastic regulation changes imposed this year it is Ferrari, and not Mercedes, that have emerged as Red Bull’s closest competitors.
But things have so far been very respectful between the two teams, despite Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen’s battles on the track.
Red Bull team principal Horner reckons that there is only so long that will last in a title fight.
Prior to last weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, the 48-year-old said: “Last year there was a lot of needle, a lot going on off track as well as on track, whereas this year seems much more focused about what’s going on on track.
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“And I think the racing has been great between Charles and Max. And the first four races have been epic.
“If that continues through the season, inevitably it will boil over at some point as it gets more competitive and the stakes get higher in the second half of the year.
“But certainly what we’ve seen so far has been very respectful racing – hard racing but fair racing.”
Verstappen was the victor in the pair’s latest battle, somewhat serenely coasting to victory in the inaugural Miami GP.
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Leclerc leads the driver championship, however, by 104 points to 85.
Mercedes are not yet in the title picture amid struggles with their W13 car – but new boy George Russell has given them hope to cling on to – even as Lewis Hamilton has struggled.
On the Silver Arrows, Horner opined: “I think you will see Mercedes joining that party fairly soon.”
Mercedes are hopeful of improvements being made as the season goes on
