Christian Horner on Verstappen's 2021, Red Bull's ambitions and Vettel v Webber

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

Cascade Platinum Plus cleans so well, all you have to do is just scrape, load, and you're done. Your dishes will shine with no pre-wash or re-wash needed, leaving you more time for the things that let you truly express yourself, because that's when you shine the brightest. A proud sponsor of Can't Cancel Pride 2023, Cascade celebrates those who shine with pride all month and all year.

Learn more at cantcancelpride.com.

Christian Horner (0:32)

They all count. All the years count. You're as good as your last race in this business. So of course we continue to put effort in and push.

The pain is worth the gain.

Tom Clarkson (0:52)

Hello and welcome to Beyond The Grid with me, Tom Clarkson. Formula 1's a bit Red Bull-tastic at the moment, isn't it? We're in the lay week between two races at the Red Bull Ring, the first of which was won in emphatic style by Max Verstappen in a Red Bull.

So now seems an apposite moment to invite Red Bull Racing boss, Christian Horner, onto the show to discuss the team's recent turnaround in Fortunes. Or should I say invite him back onto the show because he first came on in the summer of 2018 Back then, we chatted in his garden in Oxfordshire. This time, we caught up in the paddock at the Red Bull Ring on the eve of last weekend's Styrian Grand Prix. And as you're about to hear, Christian and his team are in a very good place. And they're incredibly bullish about the future.

After eight races, they lead the Constructors Championship by 40 points and Verstappen the Drivers by 18 And they've just won four consecutive races for the first time since 2013 Mercedes even admitted last weekend that for the first time in the turbo hybrid era, they no longer have the fastest car in Formula 1 Christian and I talk about it all, the season so far, the drivers, the future with Red Bull powertrains. And to give their current success some context, we also talk about the team's journey to this moment. What's changed to make them this good and why? Christian, as ever, is in good form and he has a lot to say. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

Christian, it's great to have you back on the show. Would you believe it? There have been 130 episodes since you last came on in 2018

Christian Horner (2:34)

That's amazing. Well, it's nice to be back 130 episodes later. So, lots happened since then.

Tom Clarkson (2:41)

Well, actually, before we move on, do you remember it was the start of the summer break 2018, and the night before, I think, Daniel Ricciardo had phoned you and said, no more, thanks.

Christian Horner (2:52)

Yeah, it was all a bit bizarre. I remember you come round. I said, come round. Beginning of the summer holidays, it'll be nice and quiet.

Daniel had resigned the night before, so I got The World and his dog ringing me the next day. I got Flavio Call when you were there, you know, pitching for Fernando.

Tom Clarkson (3:08)

I think we can talk about this now. Flavio Call, I think Carlos Sainz Senior.

Christian Horner (3:11)

Ross Braun called, didn't he? He was pitching as well, not to get a drive.

Tom Clarkson (3:16)

I remember looking at your wife saying, are we ever actually going to get this thing started?

Christian Horner (3:19)

And then in 1904, you know, London to Brighton run, car turned up to have a little test drive in as well. So yeah, it was all going on.

Tom Clarkson (3:29)

Anything you want to announce, actually?

Christian Horner (3:32)

Nothing.

Tom Clarkson (3:33)

No dramas.

Christian Horner (3:35)

Nothing as big as that. Nothing as big as that, no.

Tom Clarkson (3:38)

Well, a lot has happened on track since then, Christian, and off track.

Christian Horner (3:43)

Yeah. On and off. Lots has happened since.

Tom Clarkson (3:45)

Yeah, it has. It's been a busy three years for all of us, isn't it really?

You guys are genuinely competitive now. How does it feel to be a genuine challenger again? Because it's been a while.

Christian Horner (3:57)

It has been a while. But do you know what? This is what we've been working for. And to go to races knowing that you got a chance of winning, he just puts petrol in everybody's tank. And I think that the whole factory, the whole team is fully motivated. And loving this competition, let's see where it ends up. But Mercedes have been, let's not forget, they've won everything the last seven years. And it's been seven long years.

And I think so to get ourselves back into a competitive position, to be able to be giving the drivers a competitive car, particularly with a pandemic of the last 18 months and so on, it's fantastic. I think it's good for us, it's good for the sport.