Without cars on track generating the stories, it is up to team members to provide the headlines. In a 7-minute televised conversation with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner was able to cover a lot of ground. A fitting accomplishment for the man who saw his team gain considerable ground in the Constructor’s Championship in 2021 whilst of course seeing his talismanic driver, Max Verstappen, take home a maiden F1 Drivers’ title. In the recent encounter, Horner shared his thoughts on sprint qualifying, whether any new title challengers will emerge and reiterated why he feels Max Verstappen is such a great racer.

Speaking to WION, Christian Horner admitted that it has been ‘a very short off season’ and that his team is fully focused on future successes to come as opposed to living off the past.

“The factory’s very busy and everybody’s flat out, last year already feels a long time ago. So, everybody’s getting geared up for the season ahead.”. Horner said.

However, the same could be said for every Formula One team as momentum for the 2022 F1 season continues to build. The motivation of course being the new regulations and rules which still are not yet fully known to the teams and won’t be until the Barcelona test in just under a month. Therefore, the question was posed to Horner as to whether this would pave the way for a different team to be challenging at the front on a regular basis?

“I think there could be a shakeup in order. Teams like Ferrari and McLaren and maybe one or two surprises….F1 is a complicated sport, a complicated business, it is all about how you interpret the rules and the regulations. Brand new rules for this year, the biggest chassis changes for probably thirty years.” Horner said in reply.

https://www.motorlat.com/notas/f1/23946/f1-mclaren-ricciardo-a-real-pleasure-to-work-with

One of the reasons the field may have narrowed is also due to the focus Red Bull Racing put on their hard fought 2021 campaign. Consequently, at that time having had an eye on the present and another on the future, Horner feels that the teams around him may have gained the upper hand following such a choice.

“Ourselves and Mercedes were very much involved in last year’s championship fight so inevitably that takes a little bit of distraction and emphasis away from the following year. So, we will expect to have some very fierce competition out there this year. And I think it’s going to be an exciting championship ahead.” Horner said.

Another cause for excitement is the proposal for more sprint qualifying in 2022. There is no doubt that the format split opinion with the fans, so it will be interesting to see how the proposal of 6 sprint events (compared to 3 last year) will be received. Horner explained he is happy with the idea but feels further clarification is needed.

The uncertainty has arisen from the fact that Formula One motorsport director Ross Brawn has already indicated that F1 is considering several changes to the sprint format. However, he is eager to ensure the pole position winner is decided by qualifying, rather than a sprint event – which would differ from last year. Not only this, but F1 is considering an increase in the number of points awarded for sprint events. In 2021, the allocation was: three points for a victory, two for second and one for third. With the dawn of the season upon us, Christian Horner commented on the fact that time is running out for an agreement between teams.

“I’m very much a purist, I believe that qualifying and the race are the fundamental aspects of a grand prix,” Horner confessed to WION. “I think that the sprint races were interesting last year. I think the format wasn’t perfect. But if you don’t try something you don’t know, and I think there’s things that could be done to make it more exciting, to make it more interesting. But it’s getting quite late now and we’re going to need to have a decision pretty shortly.”

One thing that does not need deciding is the Red Bull Racing driver lineup for 2022 having been announced many months prior. With Sergio Perez becoming ever more settled alongside the new F1 Drivers’ World Champion Max Verstappen, does Horner feel the constructors’ title is within his grasp?

“We got close last year, had it not been for a bit of bad luck. Obviously the DNF in Saudi was tough on us and we had to retire Sergio in Abu Dhabi. Without those 2 results we would have been right there…we’ve now got to go one step further.”

Therefore, having claimed a maiden F1 Drivers’ World Championship, what is it that Christian Horner feels makes Max Verstappen such a special talent?

“I think it’s hunger, it’s his determination, it’s his natural ability but the fact that he never gives up. He’s a fighter, he will never let go of any opportunity. I think that’s what marks him out as an exciting driver, as a great driver. You’d know, if you’ve got Max behind you, he’s going to have a go. I think that’s why he’s got such a big following in F1 and that we see continuing to grow.” Horner stated.

Red Bull Racing has just experienced their most successful season since 2013. Nevertheless, the driving force of Christian Horner and his mindset shows that the team is always about moving forward and doing more. Horner explained “You are always learning, you can always do things better…let’s see what 2022 now brings.”

With still many unanswered questions, the first thing we can hope 2022 brings is greater clarity and less ambiguity. Maybe then, the headlines being written will be done so after events on track - rather than off it.