Horner defends Red Bull team after Hamilton's Honda engine claims
Jun.26 - Some of Lewis Hamilton's recent statements do not comport with "reality", according to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.
Championship leader and French GP winner Max Verstappen is clearly ahead so far this weekend on Red Bull's home soil - and not just over a single lap.
"He was as fast on the hard tyres as our opponents were on the soft," Red Bull F1 supremo Dr Helmut Marko said, referring to Verstappen's long runs on Friday.
A Mercedes engineer, meanwhile, was quoted by Auto Motor und Sport as admitting that Red Bull is half a second per lap clear.
"I think it will be difficult to beat Red Bull," Mercedes' Hamilton admitted.
"Still, it's close. We just don't know what will happen when they turn up the engine."
Hamilton claimed at Paul Ricard last weekend that Honda's freshly-installed engines were obviously more powerful, giving Red Bull a further 3 tenth boost on the straights.
But his boss, Toto Wolff, is back-pedalling on that claim, agreeing with Red Bull that power gains like that are not possible with a homologated engine.
"We just need to do our homework and continue to improve rather than point a finger at the engine," said the Mercedes boss.
"This is all in FIA territory. It's much too early to say anything like that - that the engine is more powerful. There are so many things that play a role."
Christian Horner hopes Wolff passes that message on to Hamilton.
"I think Toto has answered it very well - and I think maybe he should explain it to his driver," he said.
"I listen with interest and sometimes some of Lewis' theories are some way from reality."
According to Verstappen, Hamilton is simply being strategic with his statements to the media.
"He tries to play the underdog quite a bit," the Dutchman told De Telegraaf.
✅ Check out more posts with related topics:
Toto is correct. The PU performance increase that RB is enjoying cannot be accomplished within homologation limits. Better lubricant? LOL I've been ranting that Honda has found a sneaky way to stretch the rules. They are leaving F1 (again) and have little to lose. I still believe it.
I'm more inclined to think once Honda engineers aren't there, the Red Bull mechanics might have a bit of a tinker with the engine lol, but if they get an OEM on board for 25 onwards, then they'll have to play it straight, german car companies will fight shy of engine fiddling after the battering they took over the emissions scandel
false news if you cant prove it dont say it
It never stops. I appreciate Hamilton and Mercedes, but this is ridiculous. Every time some car is faster than Mercedes, not often obviously, a complaint is filed and here we go again. I don't recall any judgements against Mercedes while they've been dominate, or am I forgetting something? Hamilton is a superb driver, as his record shows, but sometimes you don't get to dominate a season, sure doesn't diminish his accomplishments. Just race and deal with it.
Ken I hope that you don't think that my comment is a defense of MB. It's about the Honda motor. I don't remember the guys adopting a "just race and deal with it" attitude when the red cars found all of the secret power a couple years ago. I seem to remember Ferrari also saying that it was lubricant improvement......just sayin'.
re; the Ferrari engine comment. I did say "just race and deal with it". I grew up with Formula 1 when there weren't tons of regulations and restrictions on car development, each manufacturer did the best they could. it was, in fact, more competitive and enjoyable before the era of "control everything". Just sayin'! No, didn't think you were defending MB.
I couldn't agree more..there are so many rules and regulations, don't you think if there was something to be 'investigated' it would be found by now..a few wks ago, Hamilton said it was a bendy rear that he was studying whilst stuck behind Verstappen..I mean, make up ur mind..Honda had an abysmal partnership with mclaren for a few seasons, they've really invested heavily into this season, its working, its challenging a rival, it happens, jesus wept what is the problem?? Sick of seeing races being won unchallenged..put on repeats of the last few seasons there really oldracer and live in the comfort of the past..I like some excitement in my life..
Couldn't agree more with Ken vin..sorry replied to wrong thread!!
If you're trying to get your excitement rush from F1, try LSD...it works better. LOL
Well my first gp was Monza 2016 and then the 2019 Hungarian gp..on the track Fri to Sun 8am till they closed and it was pure unadulterated adrenaline from F3 to the supercars..maybe u need to check ur pulse!!! Lol
lsd is for old farts and hippys and no hopers ,loosers
edit drugs are for losers
hamas and MB are clutching at straws.nothing lasts forever.im surprised MB have let the hamas sideshow go on for so long.first the silver arrows went black.then taking the knee cmon different blm tee shirts for every event.MB have been compromised for way too long.even if they got back on track its too late for this season.a clean broom sweeps clean and is badly needed for them
Oh Hi Jim , This is Toto, listen the BoD have been having a bit of a chat, and they were wondering whether youd like to buy out there 33%.
Well, thats a very generous off Toto, would you mind awfully if i wait to the end of the season to make my mind up.
Er No Jim , thats fine. Torger puts the phone down and drowns his sorrows in a bottle of peach schnapps .
Ahhhhh, I can picture it now ....
I really tire (pardon the pun)at the Lewis narrative of equality in f1..he's spinning politics into a sport that he's quite happy to take a paycheck from..recently questioning stroll, lattifi, verstappen and Schumachers etc entry into the sport..I just find him nauseating..if u truly have the courage of ur convictions then use ur millions to change from the ground roots up or send a message and walk away if it truly unsettles ur core beliefs..also as a female f1 supporter I feel unrepresented by Lewis, he doesn't seem to care that females are poorly represented in f1..(the last sentence is to be said with tongue firmly planted in cheek)..just thought I'd jump on the bandwagon of marginalised groups underrepresented in f1..grand for all you rich white males..pffft...stick to racing Lewis and less of the politics and tee shirts..have a steak ffs
Have a steak i love it lol
I've just had a horrible thought.if he retires soon would sky attempyto hire him as pundit.now that could ruin F1 for years certainly for me