Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, argues that the organization should be commended, not condemned, for having two teams in Formula 1.
McLaren’s chief, Zak Brown, has persistently urged Formula 1 and its regulatory body, the FIA, to monitor closely and ensure that Red Bull and its sister team, now known as the RB squad after a recent rebranding, do not secure an undue advantage.
The partnership between Red Bull and the VCARB team has faced significant scrutiny following a recent strengthening of their relationship. Brown has voiced his opinion that each team should be self-sufficient and function independently.
However, Horner questions the controversy surrounding the issue, stating he does not “understand the fuss” or the “noise that’s being created about it”.
“I think Red Bull should actually be applauded for the support and the commitment and the jobs that they’ve provided through the good times, and particularly the bad times. So for me, it really is a non-issue.” Horner said on the second day of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain.
“Red Bull remained resolute, and they continued to support both teams through that difficult period,” he added.
“The regulations then evolved, obviously, and the Faenza-based team had to become their own manufacturer. And so further investment was made in the infrastructure in Faenza.
“We then had COVID, where Red Bull once again stepped up and stuck by both teams in its entirety. In fact, Red Bull, were responsible for getting F1 going again after COVID with two races [in Austria] that were introduced, to get the sport going again following the pandemic.
“So the commitment that Red Bull has made to F1, the commitment that Red Bull has made to these two teams, is outstanding and should be applauded. [We should] be grateful for it rather than derided and try to compromise.
“The two teams are totally separate. One is based in Italy. One is based in the UK, the one that is based in Italy has a far larger turnover of staff that end up in Maranello than end up in Milton Keynes. They have different personalities, they have different characters, and they comply continually with the regulations.
“Indeed, the relationship is far less tight than some of the teams that enjoy very tight relationships with their engine manufacturers.”
