Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes the team’s operational sharpness is an asset that helped Max Verstappen beat Lando Norris to the Formula 1 Drivers’ title in 2024.
Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive championship last season, but the prizes were split between two teams as Red Bull relinquished the Constructors to McLaren.
Red Bull had appeared on course to cruise to another title double under the current regulations when Verstappen headed three 1-2 finishes in the opening five races alone.
However, the Miami Grand Prix proved to be a turning point as a considerable upgrade package tipped the balance towards McLaren and the squad’s improved MCL38.
With Red Bull’s mid-season developments exasperating the RB20’s worsening balance issues, McLaren usurped the then-reigning champions to go on and secure the crown.
Norris was unable to utilise McLaren’s car advantage to reel in Verstappen, though, as various mistakes allowed the Dutchman to seal the deal with two rounds still remaining.
But with Norris and McLaren now having experienced a championship battle, Horner has backed Red Bull’s rivals to mount a stronger challenge in the upcoming season.
“I think, when you reflect on it, they missed a lot of opportunities on the driver’s side [last] year,” he told PlanetF1.com.
“They had two competitive drivers [with Norris and Oscar Piastri] which was strong for them in the Constructors’.
“But I’m sure Lando will perhaps look back and think three or four wins from this campaign, with the car that he had at many races, is probably less than they could have.
“But I’m sure they’ll come back. They’ll learn from that, for sure.”
McLaren’s indecision was a contrast to Red Bull
Norris wasn’t alone in slipping up at critical moments, however, as McLaren also committed numerous strategic mishaps which contributed to points being spurned.
The Woking-based team’s indecisiveness in mixed conditions in Canada and Britain cost Norris probable victories, while a reluctance to issue team orders also hampered his bid.
In comparison, Red Bull and Verstappen continued to maximise their prospects despite the RB20’s dwindling pace, ensuring his lead was never put under serious threat.
Horner is convinced that Red Bull needing to be opportunistic when it experienced a lean period between 2014 and 2020 helped the team handle the slump it endured last term.
“I think that’s always been the strength of this team – that we are an out-and-out race team,” he explained.
“That’s always been a part of the philosophy that I’ve instilled since the very beginning.
“When I came in 2005, ‘Let’s focus on maximizing our chances and opportunities and punch above our weight where we can’ It has always been our ethos.
“We went through some hardened years from 2010 to ’13, and then we went through difficult years from ’14 onwards, but we were still winning races when the occasion allowed.
“There was that determination, grit, and race sharpness within the team that has always enabled us to maximise our results.”
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