Horner on 2017: his drivers, the RB13 and his expectations
Published on 20 February 2017 by Stefan Meens
On the brink of the 2017 Formula 1 World Championship, Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing’s team boss, tells us where the team is at. “In between seasons always has its moments of pressure and demands, but we’re like a swan on the surface and paddling furiously underneath. It’s the same every pre-season. But in generally speaking, we’re pretty much on target.”
Looking ahead, what are Horner’s expectations for 2017?
“We went into the winter on a real high. Momentum definitely build during the course of last year as we developed the car, raced well and proved strong strategic. But it’s of course a clean sheet of paper for 2017. For any designer or engineer it is a really exciting challenge. A few years ago, in 2009, the double diffuser was the gizmo. Will there be one this time round and will we have missed it? Hopefully not and we’ll be competitive.”
In the last few years, the power units have proved to be an important factor. What can we expect from Renault? Will there be gains from their engine this year? “It’s a brand new engine with a change of philosophy. They’ve had a big winter. We’re hoping for a step in performance. If that’s delivere,d hopefully we can be a challenging team this year and give the Mercedes and Ferraris a hard time.”
Last year, you challenged Mercedes by taking two wins. Can you do it agai?
“Mercedes for sure is the team to beat, they are the triple world champions. They set the bar pretty high, but that’s what we’re inspiring to. Hopefully we can be a real challenger team. The driver line-up we have is fantastic. We have great stability in the team and we’re excited about the year ahead.”
Talking about your driver line-up…
"We probably have the most exciting driver pairing on the grid. It’s so exciting to see the development and evolution of Max Verstappen, as he’s growing in experience and confidence and age, the heavy age of 19… Daniel Ricciardo for me was the driver of the year last year. He put in some phenomenal performances. He was right at the top of his game, so his confidence is high. Also, I think the dynamics between the two drivers is great. They are going to push each other incredibly hard, which is great from the team. I couldn’t have hoped for two better, more motivated drivers in our cars.”
What are their main strengths?
“Hopefully, their necks, because there are going to be a lot more g-forces this year. They’re both ferocious racers. Look at their race craft on a Sunday afternoon, I don’t think there are any other drivers out there that are better overtakers than our two guys. They’re tremendously dedicated, enjoying what they do. They love what they do. You can really see they revel in being Grand Prix drivers. They are having fun along the way. They have sort of a big brother little brother mentality going on. They live in the same apartment block. It’s a great pairing for us to have in our line-up. “
2017 sees brand new regulations. What does that mean?
“The cars are going to different, more aggressive looking with wider and bigger tyres, more downforce and more aerodynamics. I think they’ll look great. They’re going to be four or five seconds a lap quicker, which is a big physical challenge for the drivers, for sure. How that impacts the racing is going to be fascinating to see. I think that we’re set for some fascinating GP’s this year. For sure we’re going to see a difference in pecking order of the drivers, as these cars are really going to stretch their abilities.”
The RB13…
“I think the RB13 is one of the prettiest cars we’ve designed and made. Because the geometry of the car and the new regulations, it’s wide, it looks mean, it looks fast. It’s that old adage, if it looks right it tends to go alright. And this car for sure looks right.”
With a new car on the way, how’s the atmosphere in the factory?
“There’s a real air of excitement. A few months away fro, the race track sees the guys excited to get going again. New car, new rules, it’s going to be an exciting count down to the first race in Melbourne. We’ve got two tests in Barcelona, four days for each driver, so it’s not a lot of seat time in the RB13. Nevertheless there is a real anticipation and buzz around the factory that is building and building.”
Red Bull Racing is a core team of the sport, a sport that’s changing? What’s your attitude to the change?
“Red Bull sees Formula 1 is a sport first and foremost. But our sport it needs to entertain by seeing man and machine at the absolute limit. So I think perhaps we need to think a bit less about technology and a little bit more about the ultimate chariot racing that Formula 1 should be. There is a great opportunity moving forward to address those points, to bring the noise back into F1. The cars are looking great this year, it would be fantastic if they sounded a bit louder as well. Make the drivers the stars and the heroes. They should give more access to those drivers and personalities that exist within F1. I think they are the core elements that need to be focussed on.”
Next stop, Barcelona!
“It’s always an anxious moment as the car runs for the first time. When you see it leave the pits for the first time, you can’t wait to see it back after the first lap without any issues. But it’s also an exciting moment to see the car break cover. And then there’s of course the testing. People get suckered into who is doing what time, what fuel loads, who’s doing what, race runs, etc. It’s all irrelevant. In reality you have got to focus on your own program, put the blinkers on, get through your own program. It’s all going to change by the time you get to Melbourne anyway. It’s interesting to see the buzz and the tension that surrounds those tests but we’ve become pretty good - over the last few winters – to just focus on ourselves and our program.”
What excites you most about 2017 season?
“The opportunities that arise from these new regulations. It’s going to be fascinating to see who’s got it right, who’s got it wrong. Of course then it’s going to be a development race all the way from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi. You’ll see big increments early on because the regulations are pretty immature. I think there is going to be low hanging fruit early on to make sizeable steps. That’s going to be fascinating. That’s going to push every department in the whole team. To try and outwit, outsmart, out develop, out produce our rivals, that’s going to be a stellar challenge in Formula 1 this year.”
