“We Have Nothing to Lose”: Christian Horner Reveals Red Bull’s Tactics to End Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes’ Era of Dominance

Last year, albeit in a controversial fashion, Red Bull broke Lewis Hamilton’s 4-year WDC winning streak. In 2022, they haven’t just won the WDC title again, but are also on the cusp of halting Mercedes’ juggernaut of 8 years of constructors’ championship win streak. What is it they are doing, right? Christian Horner reveals.

With four more races to go in the season, Max Verstappen has already bagged his second WDC title in Japan. He had won the same accolade last year as well, but Red Bull missed out on the constructors’ title to Mercedes. This is set to change in 2022.

Christian Horner reveals what Red Bull is doing right

Red Bull had last won both championships in 2013 with Sebastian Vettel. Then came the hybrid era, and the Milton Keynes-based team fell down the pecking order. It has taken them 9 years to break the curse of the hybrid era.

Throughout the last season, Mercedes and Red Bull went neck to neck. This year, however, Red Bull has given them no chance. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner recently revealed where things went well for them in the podcast, ‘The Diary of a CEO’.

Horner said, “We had a kind of attitude like: we have nothing to lose.“ He continued, “We threw everything into the fray and I think it came down to having a greater desire.” [Translated using Google]

The Red Bull boss talked about how they were continuously getting better and ready to pounce on any sign of weakness. He said to do that they needed a driver to match that attitude. “With Max Verstappen, we had an exciting, determined character and you will not meet someone as determined as Max.”

Read More: Christian Horner Sends Out a Special Message as Red Bull and Max Verstappen Close In on Making Mercedes Suffer a Double Whammy

Horner praised the employees’ efforts for the team’s success. “The team had a kind of confidence and worked at a level that took us out of our comfort zone. Think record-breaking pit stops, aggressive and attacking strategies… They were calculated risks, but with high risks, if they succeed, there is a lot of benefit.”

Christian Horner’s pep talk ahead of the 2021 season finale

The battle for the WDC title came down to the last lap of the last race at Yas Marina Circuit, where Max Verstappen pipped Lewis Hamilton to win the title.

Christian Horner revealed how he motivated the team before the race. He said, “Whatever happens, all we can do is do our best.’ We’ve made it to this point, so enjoy this experience. Whatever the outcome, we don’t know, but give it your all and enjoy. In the end, it worked out well.”

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Whatever Red Bull is doing, it is certainly working for them. They have the current formula nailed to the tee.