Is Red Bull Focused on the Championship Battle? Christian Horner Speaks Out
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Synopsis
In the wake of a disappointing performance at the Austrian Grand Prix, Red Bull's Christian Horner reveals that the team's focus has shifted away from the championship, emphasizing the need to concentrate on individual races moving forward. Will they be able to bounce back in Silverstone?
Key Takeaways
- Christian Horner emphasizes focusing on individual races rather than the championship.
- Verstappen currently trails significantly behind competitors with only 11 points.
- McLaren leads the standings with substantial points ahead of Red Bull.
- Struggles were evident for both Verstappen and Tsunoda during the Austrian Grand Prix.
- Focus shifts to the next race at Silverstone as the team aims for improvement.
Spielberg, June 30 (NationPress) Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner acknowledged that his team is not currently focused on the championship struggle following a disappointing Austrian Grand Prix where they failed to score any points.
With a considerable gap established in both championships, Horner understands that Verstappen and Red Bull face a challenging task to build on their recent title victories in 2025.
“Honestly, we’re not even considering the championship,” he stated. “Our attention is solely on each race now. McLaren is significantly ahead of us. We’ll approach every race one at a time,” Horner told F1 TV.
The McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are competing for the Drivers Championship with 216 and 201 points, respectively, while the reigning champion Verstappen is stuck at 11 points. Meanwhile, the British team leads with 417 points, far ahead of second-placed Ferrari, which has 210 points.
“It was a frustrating day. Starting with Max, he had an excellent start and was well-placed for Turn 1. Unfortunately, at Turn 3, Kimi lost control and took him out. Extremely disappointing… Of course, Kimi has apologized. It is what it is,” Horner continued.
Verstappen was taken out on the first lap by Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli and had to retire from the race, while teammate Yuki Tsunoda faced ongoing challenges, receiving a 10-second time penalty—along with two penalty points—for colliding with Alpine’s Franco Colapinto.
“For Yuki, it’s tough to make progress starting from where he did on the grid, especially after receiving a penalty with Colapinto. It was a dreadful race for him as well. It’s frustrating, but we’ll quickly move on to Silverstone.
“The car has evolved over the years based on our development path. While it’s not the easiest car to drive, it isn’t overly difficult either. We’ll work with him and aim for improvement at Silverstone,” he concluded.
Point of View
It is essential to recognize the ongoing challenges faced by Red Bull amid fierce competition in Formula 1. While Horner's comments reflect a realistic approach, the team must adapt quickly to remain competitive in the upcoming races, especially considering the remarkable performance of McLaren.
NationPress
30/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Christian Horner say about the championship?
Christian Horner stated that Red Bull is not currently focused on the championship and is instead concentrating on individual races.
How many points does Verstappen have?
Verstappen currently has 11 points in the Drivers Championship.
Who are the leading drivers in the championship?
Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris from McLaren are leading with 216 and 201 points, respectively.
What happened to Verstappen during the race?
Verstappen was taken out on the first lap by Kimi Antonelli, ending his race.
What challenges did Yuki Tsunoda face?
Yuki Tsunoda received a 10-second penalty and faced difficulties throughout the race.
