Leaving Behind Past Grudges, Red Bull Boss Christian Horner Makes an Honest Confession About Departing Mattia Binotto

Red Bull boss Christian Horner currently sits atop the aristocracy of Formula 1. His team and driver, Max Verstappen, have dominated the sport in recent times. Naturally, with this luxury also comes the benefit of hindsight and an opinion that weighs more than that of the others.

If you ask Ferrari, well, they’d say it was time that Binotto left. His exit was imminent given the squalid season the Scuderia fell a victim to in 2022. That being said, according to Horner, in hindsight, Binotto did more than enough to retain his place at Maranello.

At the FIA’s prize-giving gala, Horner bared all about his thoughts on Binotto‘s departure. He said, “In all fairness to Mattia, he did a very good job in producing a competitive car and engine for Ferrari, certainly this year. He committed a long period of his career and life to Ferrari and I am sure it must be very difficult for him to leave that team after all of that time.”

“A huge pressure in that team because it is a national team as well as an OEM and I think it will now be the sixth team principal I will sit across the table from since I have been at Red Bull [since 2005].”

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The Scuderia and their management philosophy weren’t the only things Horner spoke about while trying his hand at F1 punditry. The boss of the Milton-Keynes-based outfit also had a few things to say about Mercedes and their 2023 chances.

What Red Bull boss Christian Horner really thinks about Mercedes’ 2023 chances

After a disastrously slow start to the 2022 season, Mercedes were able to claw back a considerable amount of performance towards the end of the season. Having finished the season on a relative high, they’d expect 2023 to be about being back to their dominant ways. But what does their prime rival Horner, thinks about their chances?

Speaking at a promotional event at their factory, Horner said, “Mercedes have not enjoyed playing a background role in this year’s championship so motivation will be there to get back into a winning position. They’re a strong team, a quality team and have very strong drivers. I half expect to see Mercedes back as a contender next year.”

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If what Horner’s predicted comes true, it could be a potential three-way title fight. But according to you, who’d come out victorious? Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton or probably even a maiden title for George Russell?