Christian Horner reveals Red Bull’s push to catch McLaren, armed with fresh data, sharper strategy and a clear development roadmap.
Red Bull Racing is determined to close the gap to McLaren as fast as possible — and they already have a plan in motion.
Team Principal Christian Horner reflected on what he called a cautious approach during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend. He believes the team underestimated how durable the hard tyres would be, and missed a chance to push harder, especially with the medium compound showing stronger potential than expected.
“We came into the race quite concerned about the front-left tyre,” Horner explained. “Like many teams, we expected it to be a two-stop race.”
The strategy was shaped largely by what the team learned during the Sprint event: “We struggled with grip during the Sprint. In the main race, we started strong but backed off to conserve tyres. Looking back, we probably could’ve pushed more in that first stint, and that might’ve allowed us to challenge George [Russell] in the closing laps.”
Red Bull Chasing Margins, Not Miracles
Red Bull is still learning how to unlock the full performance of their RB21 car. But Horner remains optimistic: “There’s a lot to analyse and understand — and we’re still within striking distance.”
“It’s the second race in a row where we’ve looked stronger in the final stages. That’s a positive sign,” he said. “We’ve got plenty of data, great feedback from our drivers, and when you look at the lap times in the final stint — especially that last lap — it was really strong.”
What’s holding them back? Horner says it’s not so much a balance issue as it is about getting more out of the tyres.
“We’re leaving these first two races only eight points off the lead in the drivers’ championship,” he noted. “We know there’s more performance to unlock, and the entire team is fully focused on that.”
With two weeks before the Japanese Grand Prix, Horner believes the team has gathered valuable insights from Shanghai: “We’ve got a clear plan. Now it’s about using the time wisely and coming back fighting in Japan.”
On the challenge ahead, Horner made it clear: McLaren is the benchmark.
“Depending on the day, Max was able to catch and pass both Ferraris. McLaren, though, has won the first two races. They’re the ones to beat,” he said. “We were just 0.17s off pole, and in the second stint, our pace matched McLaren’s. So the foundation is there — we just need to refine it.”
“There’s a roadmap in place. We’re working hard to find those extra tenths and apply real pressure. McLaren’s ahead, but not by much.”
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Horner: Red Bull’s Fightback Starts with Tyre Truths
Horner: Red Bull’s Fightback Starts with Tyre Truths
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