We recently saw the Autosport Awards announcement where Max Verstappen took home the prestigious International Racing Driver of the Year award. Fans anticipated the honor to be given to the Dutchman given the dominant display he put up throughout the season. However, what caught fans’ attention the most was the Red Bull boss Christian Horner’s cheeky comment while announcing the Rookie of the Year award.
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As the rivalry between Red Bull and Mercedes has heated up over the years, we have seen both camps take digs at each other. The two teams’ principals having a go at each other is a common sight. Over the past few months, we have seen Christian Horner come under fire from his Mercedes counterpart for the cost cap breach but the Red Bull boss isn’t the one who is known to hold back either.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner’s attempt at comedy invites fans’ fury
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was on duty to give away the prestigious Rookie of the Year award. Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu won the accolade, however, Horner did not miss the opportunity to take a dig at his Mercedes counterpart, Toto Wolff.
While announcing the winner, Christian joked, “and the winner is Toto, umm, no no, it’s Zhou, Zhou Guanyu.”
The Red Bull boss must have thought it was a harmless joke on his rival. However, Mercedes fans clearly did not like it. While some thought Horner was obsessed with Toto and Mercedes, others just thought he needed to work on his delivery.
christian horner announcing 'rookie of the year' and saying the winner was toto? toto lives in his mind rent free, he is just like me
— marco¹⁴ (@RT3NENBAUM) December 5, 2022
I know he made a joke, literally what I put 😂😂but like he's presenting Rookie Of The Year like bruh mans out here mentioning Toto who has nothing to do with that award, just hope Toto is staying in that penthouse suite
— F1_Jacko (@F1Jacko) December 5, 2022
One user lauded Horner’s efforts of keeping the rivalry alive.
This guy knows how to start the war😂🤣 https://t.co/TUYYS1U491
— The Mojave (@mamzkky) December 6, 2022
he needs to work on his joke delivery https://t.co/ects4Vj8Sz
— juliana ☃️🪩 (@beneaththemooon) December 6, 2022
Some took the moment in a lighter tone as one fan called the RB boss the GOAT.
THATS WHY HES THE GOAT… THE GOATTTTT https://t.co/vcKjA4zus9
— cornhub premium #cohort (@sigmafreud42) December 6, 2022
Horner announcing Toto as rookie of the year 😂😂 #Formula1 pic.twitter.com/iTpX04zPpl
— 🏴 Jayy (@jctrxx) December 5, 2022
One fan thought Horner has got the Mercedes boss on his mind 24/7.
toto is in his head 24/7 https://t.co/2UPjdP3GV2
— flacko (@izzatialiahliew) December 6, 2022
Some believed his obsession with his rival teams was disturbing. We have certainly followed that trend ever since Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” came out.
The obsession is disturbing https://t.co/saPjNLoPwJ
— 🆔 (@HIGHDEE_JOBS) December 6, 2022
there is nothing more cringe than people trying to be funny and failing miserably https://t.co/beC3MMderJ
— shifting into Hardcourt mode (@frenchopen2004) December 5, 2022
Now, this was a unique take on the relationship the two team principals share with each other.
The bromance😭😭😭 https://t.co/TJrGyaw4ro
— Toppia (Moony's version) (@Topppia) December 5, 2022
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Zhou wasn’t available to receive the award in person. However, he had a recorded video message that was played after they announced him as the winner. Zhou said, “Hi guys, as you can see I just won Rookie of the Year.” He continued, “thanks to everyone who supported me and voted for me.”
“I’ve been battling through the year, it has been a tricky year, but I’ve had great support from the track and from fans at home so thank you all very much.”
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Watch This Story: Christian Horner Unhappy with 2022 Budget Cap, Calls for Urgent Attention
Do you think Horner was just trying to make the moment funnier? Or was it an attempt to put his rival down?