Horner hits back at Mercedes' "downgrade" claim after Canadian GP success

Race overview

The Canadian Grand Prix saw Red Bull's Max Verstappen claim victory, while Mercedes' George Russell finished third after starting from pole position.

Despite Mercedes' technical director James Allison suggesting Red Bull's recent upgrades had made their RB20 car slower, Red Bull emerged victorious.

Strategies

Red Bull approached the race with caution, aware of their car's weakness with kerb riding, which was expected to be exposed at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

However, Horner expressed confidence in Red Bull's ability to perform well on tracks with an emphasis on aerodynamic performance.

Technical analysis

Allison claimed Red Bull's upgrade was a "downgrade", stating,

"It does look as if their upgrade was a downgrade. So, fingers crossed that would really mess them up."

However, Horner dismissed these claims, quipping,

"Even with our downgrade, we managed to beat their upgrade."

While acknowledging Mercedes' strong performance in Canada, Horner remained skeptical about their genuine return to form, stating,

"Let's see over the next three tracks if it is genuine form or if it's a one-off."

He highlighted tracks like Singapore, where Red Bull's ride issues could be a factor, as potential challenges.

Max Verstappen's victory showcased his ability to overcome the challenges posed by the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, while George Russell's third-place finish after starting on pole position demonstrated Mercedes' improved competitiveness.

Team principal's perspective

Horner expressed satisfaction with Red Bull's performance, particularly given the expectations of a challenging weekend.

He praised his team's ability to "eke out a gap" despite facing stiff competition from Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes, who he believes will be competitive at every circuit.