Formula 1: Christian Horner says Red Bull winning constructors' crown means the world

Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing celebrate winning the F1 Constructors' championship after the US Grand Prix on Oct 25. PHOTO: AFP

AUSTIN, Texas - Red Bull boss Christian Horner said winning the Formula One constructors’ title on Sunday had a special significance because of the tough times the team had been through since their previous success.

The team clinched their fifth constructors’ title, and first since 2013, when double world champion Max Verstappen won the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, and Mexican Sergio Perez was fourth.

The championship ended a record run of eight in a row for Mercedes.

“It means even more (than previous ones) because we’ve had the tough years. We’ve had to keep picking ourselves up, dusting ourselves, coming back and coming back,” Horner told Sky Sports television.

“And we’ve done that. So the hard work and the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into this, this one just means the world to us.”

Red Bull entered the sport in 2005 and, with top designer Adrian Newey on board, took four successive drivers’ and constructors’ titles with Germany’s Sebastian Vettel from 2010-13.

Then the rules changed, with a V6 turbo hybrid engine replacing the much simpler and fuel-thirsty V8s, and Mercedes made big gains while Red Bull’s then-partner Renault struggled.

While Verstappen won his first drivers’ title last year, Mercedes kept their constructors’ crown.

This year, with another rules rewrite, there has been no contest. Red Bull have racked up 15 wins in 19 races with three to come.

“Credit to Red Bull, they’ve done a mega job all year,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. “Max was really strong so them winning the constructors’ championship today is what they deserve.”

Verstappen also equalled the Formula One record for most wins in a single season – the 13 previously achieved only by Vettel and Ferrari great Michael Schumacher – and looks set to break it.

Sunday’s triumph came a day after the team’s billionaire owner Dietrich Mateschitz, founder of the Red Bull energy drink company, died at the age of 78.

The Austrian was a reclusive but passionate supporter of his teams in various sporting arenas and a long-standing fan of Formula One.

Horner was sure Mateschitz would have been proud of the way in which Verstappen won, fighting back from a long pitstop to overtake his rivals and trigger the celebrations.

“We will celebrate as a team in true Red Bull fashion. We’re going large,” he added.

Reflecting on Red Bull’s stirring success at the Circuit of the Americas, Horner heaped praise on Verstappen’s hunger and maturity.

“To win the constructors championship after eight years is incredible,” he said, adding how impressed he was by the Dutchman’s ability to overcome the setback of a slow pit-stop after 36 laps.

“Unfortunately, there was an issue with the gun itself, but the good thing was it kept the car covered and then Max... Wow!

“There’s a hunger within him that I’ve never seen in another driver. There’s a determination and as he’s growing and maturing, he’s reading races incredibly well.

“I think this means everything to us. It’s been such a journey.”

But inevitably the loss of the team’s founder was at the front of Horner’s thoughts.

“Dietrich was a very private man. He was passionate – passionate about sport, especially about Formula One.

“He believed in us, he backed us and this is for him. We are tremendously grateful for everything he’s done, for us as individuals and as a team and we are going to celebrate in his honour tonight.

“I’m just so happy he got to see Max retain the drivers’ title in Japan,” he added. REUTERS, AFP

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