Horner attacks the legacy of Rival Wolff as Mercedes F1 team boss

Since the beginning of this season, there has been a certain unease between the Red Bull and Mercedes team bosses. Both Christian Horner and Toto Wolff looked like they were going to beat each other at every opportunity.

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And this has often led to a battle of words between the duo. Therefore, during the interview after the training sessions on Friday, Horner was asked whether there was mutual respect between him and the boss of the opposing team.

Well, everything started well, but in the end it got a bit tricky again as Horner attacked the Austrian. At least we think he did, considering how he put that phrase on.

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What did the Red Bull boss say?

Horner said that Wolff did an excellent job as team boss in Formula 1. And when you read this you might wonder where is the ditch? Well, the Brit took a short break after the credible statement and pointed out that, unlike the Red Bull boss, Wolff had just inherited the team.

Christian Horner asked whether there was mutual respect between him and Toto Wolff: “I have no problem with Toto. He did a great job there [pause]… In a team that he inherited. “

– Adam Cooper (@ adamcooperF1) November 5, 2021

“I have no problem with Toto. He did a great job there [pause]… In a team that he inherited, ”said the Red Bull team boss.

Of course, it was an ouch moment for Wolff, but let’s take a moment to re-analyze Horner’s statement. Was he too hard on the Mercedes boss?

Is Horner reasonable enough with the Mercedes claim?

First, Horner and Wolff are rivals, so such verbal exchanges are quite common. But is Horner right? Partially.

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Yes, it was Ross Brawn who built the strong base of the Mercedes F1 team, as the Brawn GP owner initially led the German team as team principal. Aside from Brawn, there have been several other men who banded together to achieve the 2014 achievements and follow-up achievements in the sport.

Formula 1 F1 – Belgian Grand Prix – Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium – August 28, 2021 Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff after the qualifying pool via REUTERS / John Thys

There was Norbert Haug and of course the racing legend Niki Lauda. However, success through inheritance often works for a year or two. And the steam often subsides afterwards. But in the case of Wolff, Mercedes still looks as strong as ever and is currently chasing after the 8th design engineer title in a row.

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So we would say that Wolff did a remarkable job as a manager. But his real challenge is coming – the 2022 regulation is changing. Next season will provide the real answer to Horner’s rather unnoticed claim.

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