Christian Horner: A clear response to Wolff’s statements / Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton confirmed his departure from Mercedes before the start of the season. The seven-time world champion will be in the only car from Brackley this year, then move to Ferrari with the reds, the former long-time winner hoping to find his way back to the road to success. It is not yet clear who will be his successor.

And Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff repeatedly insists that he wants to take his time when deciding on a second driver alongside George Russell. He said in an interview with “Sky” that he was looking forward to starting a new chapter with a new driver. And he announced: “Now there is refreshment.”

In an interview with “Fox Sports Australia”, the Viennese did not hide the fact that champion Max Verstappen would be his first choice to succeed Hamilton. However, the Red Bull Racing star has a contract with the world champion team, which currently fields the best car in the race. At the beginning of the season, Wolff himself explained: “Red Bull Racing currently has the fastest car, and that will come first.”

After the Chinese doctor, the team boss of the German brand’s factory team sounded a different tone. “There are many different factors that come into play when a driver chooses a team, and if you look at it from a positive perspective, you can say that the fastest driver is currently in the fastest car. But I don’t think that’s the only reason to stay with a team.” Simple minds can limit themselves for this reason, but the “deepest” driver also considers other things, and Max is the last one, he added.

Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner had a clear answer when asked about Wolff’s words. “When did he say it? If you ask Max… In the end it’s not about the paper and what’s recorded in it. He knows he has a contract that runs until the end of 2028. But it’s how he feels in the team, what’s his relationship with it and how the performance is. I don’t think Toto’s problem is drivers too. Perhaps he should consider other things than pilots who are not in the market.

China-GP, Shanghai International Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:40:52,554 h
02. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +13,773 sec
03. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +19,160
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +23,623
05. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +33,983
06. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +38,724
07. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +43,414
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +56.198
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +57,986
10. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1:00,476 min
11. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1:02,812
12. Alex Albon (T), Williams, +1:05,506
13. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1:09,223
14. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, +1:11,689
15. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1:22,768
16. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1:27.553
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1:35,110
outside
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, collision
Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, Collision
Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, engine

World Championship Position (after 5 out of 24 Grands Prix and 1 out of 6 Sprints)

the driver
01. Verstappen 110 points
02. Perez 85
03. Leclerc 76
04. Sainz 69
05. Norris 58
06. Plate 38
07. Russell 33
08. Alonso 31
09. Hamilton 19
10. Walk 9
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 4
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Okon 0
17. Zhou 0
18. Ricciardo 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 195 Punkte
02. Ferrari 151
03. McLaren 96
04. Mercedes 52
05. Aston Martin 40
06. Running Bull 7
07. Exactly 5
08. Williams 0
09. Alpine 0
10. Sauber 0