News
Horner says 'that's pretty much it' for Red Bull upgrades as he reflects on unbeaten first half of 2023
Christian Horner has revealed that Red Bull will turn their attention to their 2024 car and stop the development of their record breaking RB19. The team’s long time Team Principal also reflected on their historic start to the 2023 season.
Red Bull have adapted best since the introduction of the overhauled new technical regulations brought into the sport at the start of the 2022 season, with the Milton Keynes outfit winning their fifth constructors’ title last year.
And they continued that form into this 2023 season, winning the first twelve races of the campaign so far. And while they look to hold off the rest of their competition this year, Horner says the team will already be turning their attentions to 2024.
Speaking to Sky Sports at the end of the Belgian GP, Horner was asked whether his team planned to bring any more upgrades to the RB19 after the summer break. He replied: “I think that’s pretty much it.
“There will be some circuit specific bits and pieces, but we’ve got six months to come up with another one, and with a lot less wind tunnel time than our opponents. That’s where we’ve got to be really selective in how we use our resources.”
The reduced wind tunnel testing time is not only due to the fact that they are reigning champions and also currently lead the championship, but also as a result of the penalty they were handed for breaching the 2021 cost cap limit – with the Red Bull team also under CFD restrictions through the year.
Asked whether those limitations are a concern for the rest of the season, Horner responded: “The reduced tunnel time kicked in from last October. So, we’ve had to be hugely selective in how we use that time.
WATCH: Chaos and laughter as Red Bull pair Verstappen and Perez go head to head in Goggle Games
“Of course, trying to balance things between this year’s car and next year’s car. That’s when the team… and all [the] credit to everybody back in Milton Keynes.
"This result is their result, the way they are applying themselves to the challenge at hand. It’s incredible the history we are making.”
Red Bull have now won 29 races over the last season and a half, and Horner could not help but marvel at the fact that they had broken McLaren’s 35-year-old record for the most wins at the beginning of a season – with their win at Spa making it 12 in a row.
“We’ve won 20 of the last 21, and it’s an incredible achievement,” said Horner. “I know it might not be popular with the fans because it’s predictable.
"But we are just focused on trying to extract the best that we can, and it’s a very special moment for this team because it’s historic.
“1988 was the last time that anything like this was achieved, and to think that we have been the team to break that is something we could have only dreamt about.”
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
News Formula 3 confirm the 10 teams selected for 2025-2027 seasons
News Horner makes Ronaldo comparison as Newey gets set for switch from Red Bull to Aston Martin
Feature MY UNTOLD STORY: Five inspirational people describe their journeys to working in F1 – and why there are opportunities for all in the sport
Feature CHAMPIONS CLUB: How Norris and Piastri can join an exclusive group of title-winning McLaren drivers