Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says McLaren won’t be as much of a title threat next season following the exit of Lewis Hamilton.
The Woking outfit secured seven wins this season – the same number as Red Bull – with Hamilton taking four and Jenson Button three.
Whilst Button has often been outperformed by his younger team-mate, Horner isn’t discounting the 2009 champion from challenging for the title, but says the loss of Hamilton has made the team “weaker”.
“Lewis is an outstanding driver and in Lewis and Jenson they had a hugely strong driver line-up,” he said.
![Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen [pictured with Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore] is stern in his belief Mercedes has acted correctly](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Alpine-Steve-Nielsen-Flavio-Briatore-120x86.webp)
“I think McLaren is a weaker team without Lewis – I think McLaren would admit that.”
Horner trusts Mercedes will now be more of a threat in 2013.
“Whicher team had taken Lewis, he would be an asset. I’m sure he will naturally add performance to Mercedes next year.”
![Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen [pictured with Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore] is stern in his belief Mercedes has acted correctly](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Alpine-Steve-Nielsen-Flavio-Briatore-350x250.webp)
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