Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner is not concerned by complacency setting in within his side’s ranks amid its dominant run.
Having won 10 of the remaining 11 races of 2022 to wrap up both championships with several rounds to spare, Red Bull has taken victory in all 12 races so far this year.
The RB19 – particularly in the hands of Max Verstappen, who has triumphed at each of the past eight races – has proven untouchable to this point, prompting many to observe that Red Bull could become the first side to go an entire F1 season unbeaten.
But with the Austrian outfit setting up its own powertrains division to tackle the 2026 regulations with Ford, Horner denied assertions Red Bull might drop away.
“I don’t think so. I think we’re very much taking it one race at a time, one session at a time,” Horner said via Motorsport.com. “And I think you have to focus like that.
“Nobody’s allowing their mind to drift, and I think that it’s a long, long championship.
“There’s a lot going on behind the scenes with Red Bull Powertrains, as that’s gearing up as well in the background in Milton Keynes, with 2026 not being all that far away now. So, plenty to keep people focused on.”
Horner acknowledges that Red Bull has become the “hunted” team, revealing that its received “numerous approaches” for staff members over recent months.
Red Bull have already lost Rob Marshall to McLaren, while Ferrari reportedly attempted to sway Technical Director Pierre Wache away from the Milton-Keynes squad.
Nevertheless, Horner is convinced that Red Bull’s “strength in depth” will enable it to survive any further outgoings and maintain its position at the pinnacle of the sport.
“The challenges are always different because, when you’re the hunter, you’ve got everybody focussed on the target ahead of you,” he expressed.
“When you suddenly become the hunted, it’s a different type of pressure.
“Of course, we have numerous approaches from all these guys, chasing all our staff, sponsors, you name it.
“Getting there is one thing, staying there is another. But I think the spirit, the culture that we have within the team; we’ve got great strength in depth and have enjoyed great continuity over a long period of time, which again is so important in this business.”
Ahead of the 2023 campaign resuming in Zandvoort next weekend, Red Bull currently possesses a colossal 256-point advantage over Mercedes in second place.
Verstappen’s tally of 314 points alone would be enough for the reigning champions to remain ahead of the German manufacturer.
The Dutchman has taken the chequered flag first on a Sunday 10 times already this year, leaving him poised to eclipse his record of 15 wins in a season from 2022.
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