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(Motorsport-Total.com) – “I’m sorry it wasn’t entertaining for you, but it was perfect for us,” says Red Bull team boss Christian Horner after Max Verstappen’s top victory in Abu Dhabi. The Dutchman had led the season finale from start to finish and never left doubts about his victory.
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Red Bull happy for second win of the season in Abu Dhabi
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“It was the best and most static race we have enjoyed in a long time,” Horner said. “Max drove absolutely perfectly the entire weekend. Whatever they had to oppose us, he had an answer.”
In soccer, you would say: The victory came at a psychologically important moment. Because Red Bull can now take the momentum towards the winter break and in the coming months draw their motivation from being able to defeat Mercedes on their own.
Marko: Satisfaction from many setbacks.
“The year could not have ended better,” says Red Bull motorsports advisor Helmut Marko on ‘Sky’. “At least the last race is a satisfaction for the many setbacks we have had this year. But it is also a sign of the coming year. Somehow I have forgotten how easy life is when you are alone in front.”
“You can control the pace, watch your opponent and see what he’s doing. We calculated the distances for the safety car, VSC and all that. And luckily Albon was also within attacking distance of Hamilton. We played in all scenarios and We were sure that the race was absolutely in our hands, ”says the Austrian, reminiscent of the old days.
For Red Bull it was only the second win of the season after Silverstone, too little for the racing team’s ambitions. But the team emphasizes the great progress that has been made in recent weeks. The victory in Abu Dhabi is not a surprise for Red Bull, but it is the logical consequence for Marko.
He is convinced that if Charles Leclerc had not caused the collision that Verstappen left last week, he could have dominated this race too. “In general, the development we have pursued has brought successive steps and successes. Now the result has finally been confirmed with a victory,” said Marko.
Take the momentum with you to winter
Team boss Horner still doesn’t know why the race in Abu Dhabi was so determined: “I wish I could explain it,” he says. “But we got closer step by step in the past races. I think it was the most dominant race Max drove for us.”
In any case, it is the moment of victory. “You always want to win the last race because it portends winter,” Horner said. “We have to pick up the momentum now. Mercedes has done a great job this year and they will not stop. They keep pushing the gas.”
Over the next year, much of the current cars will continue to be used, so Red Bull’s tactic was to keep investing and learning in the car. “I think that gives us a big boost,” Horner says. “Next year is not far off, so it is important that you take it with you. It gives everyone a good dose of self-confidence.”
