Horner: We have definitely closed the gap

Red Bull are definitely the team that have the capacity to upset the dominance of Mercedes should the opportunity arise, and team chief Christian Horner says his team will do all to take advantage of any slip-up that might occur as Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton battle intensely for the title.

Speaking ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, Horner said, “We have definitely closed the gap, if you look at the race here; there is not a huge divergence. One has to assume that they are not cruising after that last pit stop because they are racing for the world championship.”

“So it is encouraging that we are able to be running around then instead of just watching them go into the distance, it has been a massive step forwards for us this year.”

Indeed only Red Bull have managed to break the stranglehold that the Silver Arrows have had of the top step of the podium this season, with Max Verstappen sensationally victorious at the Spanish Grand Prix and Daniel Ricciardo’s popular triumph in Malaysia.

But Horner is convinced that more wins are still possible, “Now that we are at the business end of the championship, you can only imagine that it is going to intensify between the two of those guys, so we just want to be in a position to be able to capitalize on any moments they might have,” he said.

“Mercedes, having won all the races they have this year, why wouldn’t they have that pace at the final three? So we just need to make sure that we are the team in the position to be able to capitalize in the event that they trip up.

As for the title between their arch-rivals, Horner said, “It is Rosberg’s to lose, isn’t it? If he finishes second at the next three races then Lewis has run out of time. But anything can happen, a puncture, a DNF, and if Lewis puts in a win, then there is suddenly one point between them.”

“For Lewis it is simple, it is like three FA Cup finals. He has got to win all three races, and then what happens with the other car he can’t control,” added Horner.

Read the full story at GRAND PRIX 247