Horner done with rumours: 'Of course you want to blame that'

Christain Horner would like to forget the Singapore Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing team boss baulks heavily at how the weekend went and hopes to be better again in Japan. The off-weekend was not down to the new technical regulations, he told Motorsport.com.

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez both failed to make Q3 in qualifying and could not fight their way to the podium during the race either. A hard loss for the team, which had so far won all races of the season. It was and still is a big mystery how Red Bull took off such a hefty jacket in Singapore. Sounds went up that the Austrians might have been disadvantaged by the new technical regulations, which left no room for flexible car parts.

Horner wants to know nothing of that: "I know all of you would love to blame the TD, but unfortunately we can't, because it's not changed a single component on our car," the Brit does not leave unanswered. So what was it due to? "I think that we were just not in the right operating window for the car, particularly over a single lap. And when you're not there, then the tyres feel horrible."