Christian Horner reveals how Sir Alex Ferguson and McLaren pioneer Ron Dennis inspired him through difficult times

Christian Horner has been the only team boss since Red Bull entered Formula 1. Over the years, the Briton has seen some of the highest highs and lowest lows. While leading the Austrian team to four consecutive double world titles, he also saw Mercedes dominate the sport for the past seven years.

ADVERTISING

Article continues under this ad

This season his team finally has a package that Mercedes can challenge for both championships. The 47-year-old recently spoke about two people who inspired him to keep going through the difficult times he was going through.

Christian Horner mentions the roles of Ron Dennis and Sir Alex Ferguson

ADVERTISING

Article continues under this ad

In 2005, Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz appointed 31-year-old Christian Horner to head the F1 team for energy drinks. This made him the youngest team boss of all time in Formula 1, which is a record to this day.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Horner mentioned how he battled tough times by learning through internal and external methods. He said: “You can always learn from others – be it internally through the way Dietrich Mateschitz led Red Bull, or from other sports.”

Formula 1 F1 – Portuguese Grand Prix – Algarve International Circuit – Portimao, Portugal – April 30, 2021 Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner speaks about REUTERS at the FIA ​​/ Handout press conference

In terms of learning from other sports, he mentioned former Manchester United FC manager Sir Alex Ferguson and former McLaren team principal Ron Dennis. “I’ve always been an admirer of Alex Ferguson and his longstanding success,” said Horner. “He has always rebuilt his team. I had great respect and admiration for him.

“Ron Dennis” [the former team principal of McLaren], Likewise. Ron was a completely different personality to me, but what he achieved was phenomenal. So there are always lessons to be learned. “

CONTINUE READING:

Horner outlines the team’s greatest success

In an interview, the Brit named Max Verstappen winning this year’s world championship as the team’s greatest success. He believed this would end a season when Mercedes was pushed to the limit for the first time in the hybrid era.

ADVERTISING

Article continues under this ad

“If you look at the strength of Mercedes and the dominance that they had, it is clear that no one has come near them for years. Nobody put such pressure on them at this stage of the season, so it will be an enormous achievement if we can do that. “

ADVERTISING

Article continues under this ad

With six races outstanding this season, Verstappen leads Lewis Hamilton by six points in the drivers’ standings. Although the Silver Arrows look like an upgraded outfit, the Dutchman hopes to keep the reigning world champion in check.

WATCH HISTORY: Top 5 wins from Max Verstappen’s F1 career