Horner expects strategic game with Mercedes: 'It's going to be vital'

The duel between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in Portimao seems to be determined mainly by strategy. With Pirelli's tough tyre choice, a one-stop seems very likely and so the start will be very important. Christian Horner is relieved that the starting grid gives hope for a good result.

"It's really nice that we have both drivers on the second row of the grid. It will probably make for an exciting race," Horner explained at Sky Sports. The tyre choice between Mercedes and Red Bull Racing differs, so it looks like both teams will go for a different strategy.

"We have another set of the mediums, versus their new set of the softest tyre. It will be very cool to see how the strategy will go. It's also warmer today so it's also a question of how this is going to affect the tyres. I think the strategy and the work on the pit wall is going to be vital."

"Of course it depends very much on how the start will go and where your drivers are after the first laps, but it's nice that both Bulls are up front. It will help Red Bull a lot if the Mercedes drivers are not on P1 and P2 after the first lap and the Red Bull team boss is therefore hoping for a good start. "I hope it can be close to Mercedes again," he said.