Horner looks back on Red Bull season: 'Verstappen in sensational form'

Christian Horner looks back on Red Bull Racing's 2022 season with satisfaction. The team came back strongly in the title race after a disappointing start to the season. Max Verstappen already took home his second world title in Japan, while Red Bull won the constructors' title in Austin for the first time since 2013.

"It's been an amazing season from our team. For Formula 1, the racing has been better. I think there have been 25% more passes this year compared to previous years. I think the regulations are delivering and enabling drivers to follow more closely," Horner said when speaking to GPblog and others in Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen dropped out twice at the beginning of the season due to reliability problems, but in the end, the dominant Dutchman was unbeatable. Red Bull owes the world titles partly to Ferrari's numerous mistakes, but Verstappen's team has also developed the car better.

"I think as a team we got the regulations right. Considering we were the last team to transition onto them, after what happened last year. I think our team has done an amazing job coming out with such a competitive car. And bouncing back after a double DNF and Ferrari one-two finish in Bahrain. We never lost sight of what our target was," the Red Bull team boss continued.

'Verstappen in sensational form'

The RB18 was too heavy at the beginning of the season, but continued development has allowed Red Bull to make the car faster and faster. Combined with Verstappen's strong form, the team was ultimately unbeatable. In 2023, both Ferrari and Mercedes hope to return to the championship battle, but it will not be an easy task.

"We just kept efficiently developing the car, and managed to lose a bit of weight. Max has been in sensational form this year. Think back to some of the races that were so tight in the early races with Ferrari, Miami, Saudi even Bahrain. it's been an incredible season for us," Horner said.

Dutch Editor-in-chief Tim Kraaij reported from Abu Dhabi for this article