Christian Horner Blames Red Bull’s Unpopularity on Winning Streak and Defeating British Drivers
In a bold statement, Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has pointed out a major reason behind the team’s unpopularity in the Formula 1 circuit. Despite being based in the United Kingdom, Red Bull has faced a backlash due to its recent success and victories over British drivers.
Horner attributes this animosity towards Red Bull to their consistent winning streak since entering the F1 scene in 2005. He believes that in the cutthroat world of Formula 1, success often breeds contempt, making it challenging for the team to garner widespread approval.
The seasoned principal has not shied away from defending Red Bull against what he calls “keyboard warriors” – a term referring to critics on social media platforms. Horner has observed a rise in hostility towards the team, not just online but also at live events like the F175 season launch at the O2 Arena in London, where he was met with a chorus of boos despite being British himself.
Addressing the criticism, Horner remains steadfast in his approach, emphasizing that he has always stayed true to his principles, even if it means drawing the ire of rivals, the media, and some F1 fans. He acknowledges that achieving success in the sport inevitably comes with its share of detractors and that winning consistently can often make a team less popular among competitors and spectators alike.
“Inevitably, you’re not going to be able to please everybody,” Horner remarked. “The best way to become unpopular in this business is to win, and we’ve done a fair amount of that over the last few years.”
Despite the backlash, Horner remains resolute in his commitment to delivering excellence and expects nothing less than 100% effort from himself and his team. While acknowledging the challenges that come with success, he remains undeterred in his pursuit of victory on the Formula 1 stage.