Q&A with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner

This week, Matt Baker is joined by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner for a special Q&A.

He discusses Red Bull Christmas party plans, beach run-ins with Daniel Ricciardo and reveals Max Verstappen's biggest secret... of being a Tom Jones fan!

Horner also explains how he and rival Toto Wolff created one of the most viral photos in the paddock.

Finally, in end-of-season fashion, he makes his New Year resolutions for the team, including hopes for Sergio Perez to improve next season in qualifying.

## Introduction

- Matt Baker engages in a Q&A session with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner to discuss various topics related to the team and the sport of Formula One.

## Red Bull Team Dynamics and Achievements

- Horner highlights the upcoming Red Bull Christmas party, emphasizing the team's "work hard, play hard" mentality and the significance of celebrating their remarkable achievements this season.
- He confirms that the viral photo of him and Daniel Ricciardo on a beach after the Abu Dhabi race was unplanned and a result of their shared presence in Dubai.

## RB19: A Record-Breaking Machine

- Horner expresses his admiration for the RB19, acknowledging its status as a piece of history due to its exceptional performance and record-breaking achievements throughout the season.
- He emphasizes the car's dominance, with over 95% of race wins and numerous records secured by Max Verstappen.

## Continuous Improvement and Maintaining Dominance

- Horner recognizes the need for constant improvement, despite the RB19's remarkable success. He highlights areas where they can enhance the car's performance for the upcoming RB20.
- He reflects on the numerous records broken by the team this season, acknowledging their importance as a measure of success and a source of pride for the team.

## Music and Statistics in the Red Bull Garage

- Horner reveals his involvement in playing music over the team radio, particularly Tom Jones' songs, following Max Verstappen's request.
- He explains the logistical process of connecting Spotify to the microphone for this purpose.

## Promoting Gender Equality in Formula One

- Horner acknowledges the lack of female representation on the podium despite Red Bull's efforts to include various departments in their celebrations.
- He expresses his commitment to rectifying this situation and ensuring equal opportunities for female members of the team in the future.

## Leadership and Motivation in a Winning Team

- Horner discusses the challenge of maintaining motivation and preventing complacency within the team after a successful season.
- He emphasizes the importance of setting new goals, harnessing the winning feeling, and remembering the days when success was elusive.

## Understanding Toto Wolff's Challenges at Mercedes

- Horner acknowledges Toto Wolff's achievements during Mercedes' dominant period but empathizes with the challenges he now faces.
- He highlights the difficulty of transitioning from a winning team to a struggling one and the need for motivation and confidence-building within the team.

## New Year's Resolutions for Red Bull Drivers

- Horner suggests that Max Verstappen should maintain his consistency and level of performance, as he had an exceptional season with minimal errors.
- He identifies Sergio Perez's qualifying performance as an area for improvement, emphasizing the need for him to start races closer to Verstappen and apply more pressure.

## Max Verstappen's Personality and Future Plans

- Horner describes Max Verstappen as a driver who has remained true to himself despite his success, maintaining his enthusiasm, determination, and natural ability.
- He acknowledges Verstappen's comments about the demanding nature of Formula One and the possibility of a shorter career compared to other drivers.

## Sergio Perez's Development and Role in the Team

- Horner praises Sergio Perez's progress and consistency, highlighting his potential to challenge for the World Championship in the upcoming season.
- He emphasizes the importance of Perez improving his qualifying performance to support Verstappen and mount a stronger title challenge.

## The Relationship Between Red Bull Racing and Alpha Tauri

- Horner clarifies that Alpha Tauri is a customer team of Red Bull Racing, utilizing certain components and sharing the same wind tunnel.
- He confirms that Alpha Tauri will not be rebranded as a "pink Mercedes" and will maintain its own design and development process.

## Daniel Ricciardo's Return to Formula One

- Horner expresses his satisfaction with Daniel Ricciardo's return to Formula One and his contributions to the Alpha Tauri team.
- He highlights Ricciardo's positive impact on the team's engineering direction and his strong performance in the Silverstone test.

## Lessons Learned from the Second Red Bull Seat

- Horner reflects on the challenges of managing the second Red Bull seat, acknowledging the high expectations and pressure on the driver to perform alongside Max Verstappen.
- He emphasizes the need for psychological strength and resilience to succeed as Verstappen's teammate.

## Formula One's Transformation and Growing Popularity

- Horner acknowledges the significant changes Formula One has undergone in recent years, particularly since the pandemic.
- He highlights the sport's global appeal, increased fan base, and diverse demographics, attributing this growth to factors such as sprint races, Netflix's Drive to Survive, and the expansion into new markets.

## Christian Horner's Long-Term Plans

- Horner expresses his commitment to Red Bull Racing and his excitement for the upcoming challenge of Red Bull Powertrains in 2026.
- He emphasizes his motivation to continue leading the team and his passion for Formula One.

# Formula One Podcast Episode Summary: Matt Baker and Christian Horner Q&A

In this captivating podcast episode, Matt Baker engages in an insightful Q&A session with Red Bull Team Principal, Christian Horner. The discussion delves into various topics, offering a glimpse into the inner workings of the Red Bull team and the world of Formula One.

**Red Bull Christmas Party Plans:**

- Horner reveals that the team's annual Christmas party is a highly anticipated event, known for its lively atmosphere and festive spirit.
- He emphasizes the importance of team bonding and camaraderie, considering it a crucial element in maintaining a successful racing team.

**Beach Run-Ins with Daniel Ricciardo:**

- Horner recalls a humorous incident during a beach run-in with former Red Bull driver, Daniel Ricciardo.
- He describes the encounter as a lighthearted moment, highlighting Ricciardo's playful and energetic personality.

**Max Verstappen's Secret Admiration for Tom Jones:**

- Horner unveils a surprising secret about Max Verstappen, revealing his unexpected fandom for legendary singer, Tom Jones.
- He shares anecdotes of Verstappen's enthusiasm for Jones' music, adding a personal touch to the portrayal of the young racing star.

**The Viral Photo with Toto Wolff:**

- Horner explains the backstory behind the now-famous photo of him and Mercedes Team Principal, Toto Wolff, embracing after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
- He emphasizes the genuine respect and sportsmanship between the two rivals, despite the intense competition on the track.

**New Year Resolutions for the Team:**

- Horner sets forth his New Year resolutions for the team, focusing on areas for improvement and continued success.
- He expresses his hopes for Sergio Perez to enhance his qualifying performance in the upcoming season.

The podcast concludes with Horner's insights into the dynamics of the Red Bull team, the importance of unity, and his unwavering commitment to driving the team towards even greater achievements in the future.