Breaking news
Formula 1
Horner: No regrets over Renault criticism
Red Bull boss Christian Horner insists he has no regrets about being so outspoken in his criticisms of Renault this year, despite the political fallout it caused.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Dec 17, 2015, 12:08 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Amid frustrations about the lack of engine performance this year, Horner criticised the French car manufacturer several times as relations between them broke down.
And it was Red Bull's attitude in being so negative with its engine partner that was cited as a reason why Mercedes was not eager to conclude a customer deal, for fear it too could have a publish bashing.
When asked by Motorsport.com if, knowing how events panned out, he regretted his approach, Horner said: "It is very easy for others to pick up and use whatever excuse is convenient.
"What you have to remember is, this is a competitive business. As far as I am concerned, I have only ever told you the truth.
"When I have been asked a question I have given you an answer. And if you look at actually what I have said, I don't think there is anything particularly unfair in the comments that have been made.
"I think it is inevitably born out of frustration – comments that either Dietrich [Mateschitz], or Adrian [Newey], or Helmut [Marko] have made."
Wider motive
Horner suggested that part of the reason to go so public with his feelings, rather than keep it behind closed doors, was that he felt it was the only way the Renault board would be aware of how big the problems were.
"Of course it is never good to conduct your business in public, but it was really born out of frustration more than anything," he said.
"The Renault board are quite distant from what is going on. It is not like with Dieter Zetsche, who attends quite a few races, or Sergio Marchionne.
"So part of being vocal was also to get those messages back to the Renault board: that there are some issues here and they need to be resolved."
Conservatism
Although there were suggestions Renault's early season woes were exacerbated by the manufacturer having been pushed too hard to bring developments, Horner is adamant that Red Bull did not go too far with its demands.
"I don't think so," he said. "I think that they [Renault ] are quite an established and conservative organisation, and of course our DNA is we want to push. We want to get on, and we want to make progress.
"Obviously a lot of promises were made over the last quarter of the year and the closed season of 2014/2015, so inevitably expectations rose.
"So it was frustrating to see us further away, and in fact behind where we finished the season in 2014, going into 2015."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Dennis: Alonso knew what he was getting into
Next article Perez "massively" surprised by Force India's turnaround
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
11 h
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Red Bull called Christian Horner to thank him for F1 engine project after maiden win
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
21 h
Red Bull called Christian Horner to thank him for F1 engine project after maiden win
Latest news
Jorge Martin the slowest Aprilia in Australia practice: “I'm used to riding with the Ducati here”
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
2 min
Jorge Martin the slowest Aprilia in Australia practice: “I'm used to riding with the Ducati here”
2027 Winter Series calendar: Three series across five circuits
General
Misc General 28 min
2027 Winter Series calendar: Three series across five circuits
Ducati says Aprilia “can do whatever they want” amid team order talks in MotoGP
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
51 min
Ducati says Aprilia “can do whatever they want” amid team order talks in MotoGP
Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
1 h
Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe