The 2021 F1 season saw a fierce rivalry between the two frontrunners Mercedes and Red Bull. Although the exciting season saw 6 different Grand Prix winners, none of them won more than once, apart from Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. With a new set of rules for the coming season, fans are expecting a shift in performance dynamics on the grid. Red Bull boss Christian Horner recently commented on this.
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Horner has had an excellent run over the past 16 years as team principal of the Milton Keynes-based team. Red Bull dominated the first half of the last decade, winning 4 titles in a row. However, since the advent of the turbo-hybrid era, Mercedes has taken over the entire scene, winning every title but one. Ferrari came close to the men from Brackley twice in 2017 and 2018 but Lewis Hamilton ended up clinching both titles by a comfortable margin.
Formula One F1 – British Grand Prix – Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain – July 15, 2021 (L-R) Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso, McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, Max Red Bull’s Verstappen and Sergio Perez and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel pose during a promotional photocall for the unveiling of the new 2022 F1 car REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge
Now, after a disastrous 2020 season, the Ferrari team bounced back in the 2021 F1 season. The team managed to win the midfield battle and finished 3rd in the Constructors Championship ahead of Mclaren. Admittedly, Mclaren has also fully exploited its potential. They pushed Ferrari into third place all season. Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo also gave Mclaren the only 1-2 finish of 2021.
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Red Bull boss Christian Horner is hyping Ferrari and McLaren for the 2022 F1 season
In a recent interview reported by Motorsport.com, Red Bull supremo Horner believes 2022 will offer opportunities for many teams to find their way to the top. He also believes Ferrari and McLaren can challenge Mercedes and Red Bull for the title.
“I accept that the energy system can change. Teams like Ferrari and McLaren can be ahead, maybe even one or two teams can surprise because the rules have been completely reset and both we and Mercedes are very focused on last year’s title challenge,” said Horner.
“Of course, that distracts you from your work for the next year. I think this year the fight is going to be really tough and it’s going to be quite an exciting championship.”
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“It’s about how you interpret the rules and if you look at this year’s rules we’re in for the biggest chassis changes in 30 years,” he added.
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Teams will return to the grid for pre-season testing later this month. Many fans are hoping for a turnaround in the starting lineup next season. Tell us your top 3 teams for the 2022 championship fight.
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