Crimson Bull workforce principal Christian Horner has delivered a damning verdict on the failure of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes to mount an F1 title problem this 12 months.
The 2 groups have been embroiled in a bitter battle final season that culminated in Max Verstappen controversially profitable his maiden F1 title forward of Hamilton given the occasions that unfolded in Abu Dhabi.
Off-track the feud between Verstappen and Hamilton was matched by Horner and Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff who have been usually embroiled in slicing exchanges.
This season, Mercedes has struggled with the brand new aerodynamic laws to such an extent it has did not win a race, though it has lately gained floor on title protagonists Crimson Bull and Ferrari.
Requested by GPFans whether or not a part of him was lacking the battle with Mercedes, Horner replied: “Probably not.”
As to why the polemic was completely different between Verstappen and Charles Leclerc in distinction to that between the Dutchman and Hamilton, Horner replied: “These two drivers have grown up with one another since they have been youngsters.
“There’s numerous respect between the 2 of them. There’s not the needle maybe, or the stress that there was final 12 months.
“I feel the racing has been sensational this 12 months and hopefully lengthy might it proceed.”