Horner Doubts Mercedes' Canadian GP Surge: A Genuine Threat or Just a Fluke
Red Bull's team principal Christian Horner has expressed skepticism about Mercedes' sudden display of speed during the Canadian Grand Prix. Despite Mercedes' underwhelming performance in the initial rounds of the Formula 1 season, their latest upgrades to the W15 car turned heads in Montreal, raising questions about whether this newfound pace is sustainable.
Mercedes showcased an impressive turnaround, with George Russell clinching pole position during practice. Russell himself was confident that the team's errors cost them the win, but he remains optimistic that their performance in Canada is a sign of things to come. However, Horner remains unconvinced and is adopting a 'wait and see' approach.
“Mercedes have always performed well on newer circuits with less high-speed corners,” Horner pointed out. He suggested that the specific asphalt conditions in Montreal may have played to Mercedes’ strengths, making their performance look more impressive than it might be on more traditional tracks. “We’ll have to monitor their performance over the next three races to determine if they’ve genuinely closed the gap or if this was just a one-off,” he added.
Horner also didn't hesitate to respond to remarks from Mercedes Technical Director James Allison. Allison had provocatively described Red Bull's recent updates as “downgrades.” Using the Canadian Grand Prix as a retort, Horner quipped, “Even with our 'downgrade,’ we managed to outpace their 'upgrade.’ Winning this race was quite rewarding for us.”
The race in Montreal wasn’t just a two-team story. McLaren's strategic blunder, as noted by Horner, could have very well cost them a victory, highlighting how competitive and error-prone this season has been. He emphasized that Red Bull must keep pushing the envelope in innovation and strategy to maintain its lead. “Even small issues like kerb-riding problems can become critical, and we’re working intensely to solve these,” he said.
Despite some recent challenges, Red Bull continues to show its mettle. “The last couple of races have been more difficult for us, but we've still managed to win two out of the last three,” Horner observed. He acknowledged that both drivers feel certain limitations in the car, but assured that the team is striving to make improvements.
Horner is particularly mindful of upcoming races where ride issues could become more pronounced, such as at the Singapore Grand Prix. “We expect tough competition from Ferrari, McLaren, and now Mercedes, who showed they can be a threat. Even though we’ve won six out of nine races, we’ll need to stay at the top of our game to keep extending our lead,” he cautioned.
This Canadian Grand Prix has not only shaken up the current standings but also set the stage for what could be an intensely competitive second half of the season. With several teams showing flashes of brilliance and strategic errors proving costly, the 2024 F1 season is shaping up to be thrilling and unpredictable.