Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes Lewis Hamilton and “the Mercedes media machine” have done everything they can to sway the narrative of this year’s Formula 1 title battle to try and heap pressure on Max Verstappen.
Verstappen enters this weekend’s season finale level on points with Hamilton but ahead on countback of wins.
Verstappen sustained two time penalties during his battle with Hamilton at last Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, prompting criticism of his driving style from some quarters.
Horner, speaking on Friday, continued to defend Verstappen and believes a certain narrative has formed, driven by comments made by Hamilton and Mercedes.
“Lewis is a seven-time world champion, he’s the most successful driver of all time, he has a standing obviously within the sport and what he says carries a lot of weight,” said Horner.
“I think he has used every tool available to him to put Max under pressure this year. He’s a competitive animal, you don’t become a seven-time world champion by not being a competitor like he is.
“Yes, I believe – and backed up by the Mercedes media machine – a huge amount of pressure has been placed on Max.
“What you’ve got to remember with Max is he’s just a young lad. He’s a 24-year-old that drives with bravery, with passion, with skill, with determination, and he’s just a guy living his dream, doing his job. And he’s up against not only Lewis but a huge machine in Mercedes-Benz.”
“I think all credit to him the way he’s handled that pressure this year and hasn’t been drawn into it, hasn’t been sucked into it, he’s just gone about his business and he hasn’t changed from Bahrain to Saudi, his approach or how he goes racing.”
Horner emphasised that Red Bull regards itself as the underdog heading into the finale.
“I mean if you think of the size of Mercedes globally they must be one of the biggest automotive companies in the world,” he said.
“The power that they wield with media around the world, I think we pale into insignificance in comparison. As Lewis Hamilton indeed called us, we’re just an energy drinks company going racing.
“So no, I think that Mercedes – Mercedes Formula 1 Team – they have become a machine over the last seven or eight years during their period of dominance and obviously have the weight and power of the parent company behind them.
“I can’t believe it’s particularly comfortable being beaten by an energy drinks manufacturer as a major OEM. That’s never sat comfortably, we know that, it’s been made quite clear to us.
“We’re a team of racers, we’re going racing, we’ve got a phenomenal driver who has driven his heart out this year, and it’s been intense on track and off track.
“I do think that the spotlight, even the narrative of this last week of this ‘Mad Max’ scenario, calling him crazy, there’s been a very clear narrative.”
Discussion about this post