Horner: "That wasn't dominance, it was annihilation"

After Mercedes dominated Formula 1 for seven years, Red Bull Racing have put an end to that supreme period. Not only does the German team have serious competition, but their rivals now seem to have the upper hand in the championship.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner believes the battle is good for the sport, and he hopes it will continue until the end of the season. "It's been a while, but this is what we've been working for. To start races knowing you have a chance to win gives everyone energy," he said on the Beyond the Grid podcast.

"The whole factory and the whole team is hugely motivated and enjoying this battle. We will see how it is going to end," continued the Briton. "We have to remember that Mercedes have won everything in the last seven years, and we have taken a long time to get back into a competitive position and give our drivers a competitive car."

From 2010 to 2013, Red Bull Racing itself also had a dominant period with Sebastian Vettel, but Horner says that cannot be compared to the past seven years. "Everyone said it was boring that we dominated everything, but don't forget that two of those championships were decided only in the last race, between us and Fernando in 2010 and 2012. What we have seen since then was not dominance, that was annihilation."