Christian Horner:

“Learned not to listen to Toto too much”

Christian Horner (left) and Toto Wolff

(Bild: APA)

Following triple world champion Max Verstappen's demonstration of power in Japan, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has already resigned himself to the Dutchman's next Formula 1 title win after the fourth of 24 races this season. "Nobody will catch Max this year. His car is spectacularly good and he drives spectacularly well," said the Viennese on Sunday in Suzuka. Christian Horner, however, does not want to attach too much importance to the statements just yet ...

As the former industry leader, the Silver Arrows have some catching up to do, with Ferrari (120) and McLaren (69) currently setting the tone in the constructors' championship behind Red Bull (141 points). "Red Bull is way out in front, then come the other teams," said Wolff in the paddock: "We want to fight for second place, that's our reality at the moment." After another disappointment in Japan for George Russell (7th) and Lewis Hamilton (9th), Mercedes (34) currently only find themselves in the battle for fourth place against Aston Martin (33).

Mercedes "in no man's land"
"If you just look at the figures, it's not good. You don't have to paint anything pink," said Wolff. In view of the actually high expectations with race wins and world championship titles, the team is currently "a bit in no man's land". When asked about Wolff's statements, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner emphasized that it was still too early to throw in the towel. "There are still 20 races to go. I have learned over the years not to listen too much to what Toto says," said the Briton.

For Wolff, however, there is still reason to be hopeful about the coming months. "We have made a step forward in terms of the car's settings. We can say that our car is getting faster," added Wolff. Only a weak first stint cost the Mercedes duo a better result in Japan.

Record world champion Hamilton, who will switch to Ferrari in 2025, was also not pleased. It had been a difficult day, said the 39-year-old Briton. "I gave it my all, but the result wasn't good. But unfortunately that's where our car is at the moment. If we want to climb up the field, we have to improve the car's performance."

For George Russell (l.) and Lewis Hamilton (r.), little is currently going according to plan.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Martin KEEP)

Sainz confident
Melbourne winner Carlos Sainz, who once again finished on the podium in third place with his Ferrari in Suzuka, expressed a little more fighting spirit with regard to the championship. "They will certainly have an advantage for at least the first third of the season, but we will do everything we can to get close again," assured the Spaniard, who does not yet have a cockpit for the coming season.