© Getty ImagesChristian's Column: The Final TwoWe get Christian Horner’s thoughts on the triple-header and heading into the final two races of the season.
ArguablyF1'stoughesttripleheader,splitacrossthreecontinents,tookplaceoverthelastthreeweeksamidtheheatofoneofthemostcompetitiveandscintillatingbattlesforboththeDrivers'andConstructors'Championshipsinyears.
The three races in Mexico, Brazil and Qatar produced a number of excellent drives from Max and Checo, recording a total of one victory, two seconds, one third and two fourth-place finishes.
It leaves the outcome for both championships delicately poised going into the final two races of this epic 2021 season, with Max leading Lewis Hamilton by eight points. In the Constructors' Championship, we are just five points behind reigning champions Mercedes in what promises to be an exciting race to the flag in Abu Dhabi.
The Bulls Out At Night In Qatar© Vladimir Rys
Before he flew out with the Team for the inaugural race in Saudi Arabia, we caught up with CEO and Team Principal Christian Horner to discuss the last three races and get his thoughts on the final two of the current campaign.
"Over the course of the triple-header we had a nine-hour time swing within 10 days, which was tough, especially with the freight arriving late in Brazil. Although the whole way through the Team dealt with the challenges exceptionally well, and to come away with the results we did is a tremendous feat. To have narrowed the gap in the Constructors' Championship to Mercedes is no bad achievement either.”
"Mexico was a massive weekend for both the Team and Checo. The support for him and the appetite for F1 was unprecedented. Even getting back to the hotel at night was challenging due to the sheer size of the crowds. On the track we managed to achieve a decent, competitive result there - a double podium. It was especially good for Checo, becoming the first Mexican driver to lead a home GP and finish on the podium.
"Brazil was a different challenge for us however, and Max drove brilliantly all weekend, but the advantage Lewis had with the car was enormous. We have never that level of overtaking and with such ease, it was like a different formula. Seeing him on the grid in P10, you knew he was still going to be a contender for the victory. I think the fact that Max was able to hold him off for 50 laps, when Lewis had passed every driver in front of him by lap 19, showed it was an outstanding drive by Max.
"As for Qatar, it was an unfortunate set of circumstances in qualifying for Max and he was unlucky to receive the grid penalty, but the way he recovered from that setback was outstanding. P2 was the optimum we could achieve with Mercedes having a quicker car than us in the race, but it was good to see that for the first time in a long time the straight-line speeds were mirroring each other."
Max Crossing The Finishing Line In Qatar© Vladimir Rys
"Make no mistake, fighting for your first F1 title is an intense moment in your racing career, but the maturity Max has shown throughout the campaign has been extremely impressive.
"He’s relaxed and dealing with the pressure incredibly well, I think he is driving better than ever. A good example of this was during the race in Qatar, when he did not feel we could catch Lewis, but commented over the that radio he “wanted to have some fun”. Max is plain-speaking and he calls it how he sees it. He doesn't work with a sports psychologist; it is just how he copes with it."
"Fighting for two world championships is exactly what we’ve worked hard for. We’re going into the last few races and it’s extremely close. Max is just eight points ahead in the Drivers' Championship and five points behind in the Constructors', in previous years we'd have bitten your arm off to be in this position at this point in the championship.
"We want to be up at the top fighting for titles and while it has been an intense year, the pressure is something we put on ourselves. With the benefit of experience, we only worry about the things we can control, rather than the things we can't, especially while the stakes are high.
"I have really enjoyed this championship and the fact we’ve been able to take the fight to Mercedes and Lewis, it’s been a phenomenal season to date. Some people thrive under pressure and some people shy away from it, but I’ve always felt I have performed at my best under pressure and that doesn't feel any different to any other campaign. Off circuit there has been a bit more distraction, but when the green light comes on, everything else is insignificant.
"In F1, we are not saving lives, it is just a sport, so you have to keep some perspective on it. It’s an intense competition but there are other things that are important as well, so spending time with the family and going for a walk with the dogs, that's how I unwind.
"People will always have their opinion on the sport and Team; however, you can’t live your life according to people's views, you have to be comfortable with your own approach and run with it."
Christian Discussing Quali With Max© Getty Images
"We head to Saudi Arabia for their first race where the track looks insane from I’ve seen. It’s hugely fast and the first sector is like Suzuka, but with walls! It is going to be a massive challenge and I’m sure there will be plenty of excitement and drama.
"We will be watching the Formula 2 race very carefully. On paper, it looks like a power-sensitive circuit, so you'd say that tends to favour Mercedes and it looks as though they feel that way too, but you just don't know.
"Then we go to Abu Dhabi, where in 2020 we were the first team to beat Mercedes since 2013, but they’ve changed the circuit considerably. We will be preparing as best as we can to go there and perform and see where we end up.
“Whatever happens at the end of this championship, we will know that we have given it everything we have got. The racing this year has been incredible, and the rivalry is intense, it polarises opinions, but it also draws in a huge audience, which has been wonderful to be a part of."
“I was very sad to hear the news about the passing of Sir Frank Williams over the weekend. He was a true gentleman and real racer. Growing up I was a fan of his team and when I reached Formula One he always had time for me and his enthusiasm for the sport was infectious. Our thoughts are with the Williams family at this sad time and on behalf of Red Bull Racing thank you for everything you gave to Formula One."
Sir Frank Williams© Red Bull Content Pool
