Christian Horner Predicts Intense 18-Month Battle Among Four F1 Teams as Competition Tightens

A fierce competition involving four F1 teams over the next 18 months?

Christian Horner has predicted an intense rivalry among four F1 teams in the upcoming 18 months.

Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull, has forecasted an intense competition involving four Formula 1 teams over the coming 18 months.

Current titleholders Red Bull kicked off the new season with a strong performance, as Max Verstappen clinched victory in four out of the initial five races. However, the competition has intensified with McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari all showing increased competitiveness as the season has progressed.

Red Bull doesn't seem to have the speediest car anymore, and Verstappen hasn't secured a win in the last five races, with his most recent triumph being at the Spanish Grand Prix in June.

Mercedes has claimed victory in three out of the last four races, and Oscar Piastri led a McLaren one-two finish in Hungary.

Throughout the first 14 races of the 2024 season, a total of seven different drivers have each claimed a grand prix victory.

Horner anticipates that this pattern will persist, forecasting that the competition will become more evenly matched until new rules are implemented in 2026.

Horner expressed that he believes it's beneficial for the sport and that such an outcome was nearly certain. He noted that when regulations remain consistent, convergence is always expected.

"I recall my initial entry into Formula 1 in 2005, with Ron Dennis advocating for unity among the teams. The concept of convergence has consistently helped bring the teams closer."

"Certainly, the major regulatory changes set for 2026 will lead to differences, but until then, over the next 18 months, I believe the competition among the four teams will be intense."

Despite Verstappen's strong position at the top of the drivers' championship, the constructors' championship is still up for grabs. McLaren trails Red Bull by just 42 points, with 10 races left in the season.

"Building a larger lead before the summer break will allow Max to relax more," stated Horner. "Our priority is the constructors' championship, and we lost another seven or eight points in that regard at Spa."

"We must change that situation after the break in Zandvoort."

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