Horner on Sunday's 70th Anniversary GP: 'Last Sunday was a real boost'

Published on 12 August 2020 by Johan Peeters

Christian Horner, team principal of Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, reflects after Sunday’s 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone: “Last Sunday was a real boost for the team to beat Mercedes on track and on merit. It was also done in a fitting way, as Formula One celebrated its 70th anniversary with a sensational drive from one of the stars of the future.”

“I would be lying if I said it was also slightly surreal once the podium celebrations had finished. We all got together for the team photos, covered the drivers in Red Bull and toasted our success, but there was no party afterwards and it was also a shame not to feel the buzz of the fans celebrating with us. Everyone packed up and went home and that evening I was back with the children and managed to read them a story before they went off to sleep. So it was pretty strange to think that just a few hours earlier we were winning the 70th Anniversary race and later on that evening I was reading a story about a goat!”

“This victory moves Max into second place in the Drivers' Championship, despite a DNF in the first race of the season in Austria. If you remember, he was running second and had he won those 18 points the championship would be looking even closer. But that said, you can’t look at the ifs and buts, even if the points would be pretty valuable right now. We have what we've got and we are still in the fight.”

“The whole factory has been working incredibly hard during these opening triple-headers and a result like Sunday makes you realise what all that hard work is for and it is the best repayment for all the long hours that are going in at the moment. It definitely gives you energy when you get a result like that and with this gruelling schedule that is important.”

“I walked into the factory on Monday morning and there were smiles all round. Mercedes have been so dominant in the opening races but we beat them fair and square on the track, which is a great feeling and now we just have to carry that momentum forward.”

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