Please note that the summary is generated based on the transcript and
may not capture all the nuances or details discussed in the podcast
episode.
Notes
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.
Summary
## 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.
Raw Transcript with Timestamps
[00:00.000 -> 00:08.160] Hello and welcome to this week's episode of the Sky Sports F1 podcast. [00:08.160 -> 00:12.680] We've got a real treat for you because in a season that's seen records tumble, a sixth [00:12.680 -> 00:17.880] Constructors title for Red Bull Racing and a 1-2 in the Championship for the team, it's [00:17.880 -> 00:21.600] all gone rather well for their team principal Christian Horner who joins us on the podcast. [00:21.600 -> 00:22.920] Christian, how are you? [00:22.920 -> 00:23.920] Very good. [00:23.920 -> 00:24.920] Yeah, very good. [00:24.920 -> 00:26.760] What does the end of the season look like for you? [00:26.760 -> 00:28.480] What have you been up to since Abu Dhabi? [00:28.480 -> 00:30.520] Well, it's been flat out, to be honest with you, [00:30.520 -> 00:32.600] from the moment we left Abu Dhabi. [00:32.600 -> 00:36.480] A lot of stuff to get done back in the factory, [00:36.480 -> 00:40.600] awards events, prize giving, FIA prize giving is coming up [00:40.600 -> 00:42.720] this Friday. [00:42.720 -> 00:46.000] Christmas parties coming up as well for all the staff. [00:46.000 -> 00:53.000] But still a lot going on back in the factory as RB20 starts to come to life. [00:53.000 -> 00:56.000] Give us some insight into a Red Bull Christmas party. What's it like? [00:56.000 -> 01:01.000] Well, it's always great fun. Everybody lets their hair down and it's that work hard, [01:01.000 -> 01:06.960] play hard mentality that we have. And especially this year, after what an amazing year, [01:06.960 -> 01:11.200] to celebrate everything that the whole team has achieved together [01:11.200 -> 01:14.160] under one roof, I think it will be very special. [01:14.160 -> 01:17.360] So we're not going to see a repeat of Japan on the karaoke? [01:17.360 -> 01:20.960] No, not for me. Karaoke is done. [01:20.960 -> 01:23.680] I have one other thing to ask you as well, [01:23.680 -> 01:25.760] because I saw a photo of you on a beach [01:25.760 -> 01:31.280] with Daniel Ricciardo almost days after Abu Dhabi. Was that planned? Was that something [01:31.280 -> 01:35.040] that you intended? Did you go on holiday with your drivers? No, no, no. It was literally the [01:35.680 -> 01:45.560] Monday after we had a shareholder dinner in Dubai on Monday evening. So Monday morning, I went down to the beach [01:45.560 -> 01:49.080] and who was there but Daniel and his partner, Heidi, [01:49.080 -> 01:52.800] and others as well, Pierre Gasly and so on. [01:52.800 -> 01:55.240] So obviously they were hanging around [01:55.240 -> 01:57.940] because they were testing on the Tuesday. [01:57.940 -> 01:58.960] Sort of a nightmare, isn't it? [01:58.960 -> 02:00.360] You finish the season working with these people [02:00.360 -> 02:03.280] and you see them on the beach on your first day. [02:03.280 -> 02:04.280] Let's talk, I mean, look, [02:04.280 -> 02:05.120] for those of you listening to the [02:05.120 -> 02:08.400] podcast, you won't be able to see this, but we're in Sky's swanky new studio. We've got the [02:08.400 -> 02:13.440] RB19 behind us, we've got Max and Checo on the wall there. But talk to me about this car. And [02:14.000 -> 02:18.800] I know that when Max was interviewed after the race in Abu Dhabi, he said he got surprisingly [02:18.800 -> 02:24.560] emotional on the in-lap. And I wonder when you look at the car, the RB19, what are your emotions? [02:24.560 -> 02:25.200] What do you feel? [02:25.200 -> 02:29.600] Well, it's a piece of history now. I mean, what it's achieved is quite outstanding. And of course, [02:29.600 -> 02:34.320] so much of it was carryover from RB18. So, part of the chassis was carryover, [02:34.320 -> 02:37.840] a lot of the suspension was carryover, the gearbox was exactly the same. So, [02:37.840 -> 02:45.880] probably 60% of the car actually raced last year as well. So the amount of races that some of these components have won [02:45.880 -> 02:50.200] is more than 30 races. [02:50.200 -> 02:55.240] And it's incredible to think what we've achieved as a team. [02:55.240 -> 02:58.520] And so this car, to have broken all the records from the [02:58.520 -> 03:09.120] McLaren 1988 season to winning 95.5% of the races this year. It's just been phenomenal and Max has [03:09.120 -> 03:12.520] just been on a different level as well this year. [03:12.520 -> 03:14.840] How much faster can this car go? [03:14.840 -> 03:19.560] Well, of course, you can always improve and that's what Formula One is all about. It's [03:19.560 -> 03:25.680] always looking at where can you be better and in RB19, whilst it ticks a lot of boxes, there are still areas that [03:25.680 -> 03:33.120] we can improve that we'll be taking and looking to carry into RB20. But that's Formula One, [03:33.120 -> 03:37.120] that's competition, it's all those marginal gains that you're pursuing. [03:39.040 -> 03:42.240] Throughout the year it's almost been a running, and you alluded to a couple of records that you've [03:42.240 -> 03:46.120] broken there, it's been a running joke on our podcast, every week it was like, oh there's a new record [03:46.120 -> 03:48.440] gone, okay, what's it been this week? [03:48.440 -> 03:53.200] Most wins in a single season, 19 for Max, first driver to lead a thousand laps in a [03:53.200 -> 03:54.720] Formula One season. [03:54.720 -> 03:57.960] But I want to know your relationship with stats because near the end of the season you [03:57.960 -> 04:02.280] came on the radio to Max, almost taking Crofty's job away from him and feeding the stats to [04:02.280 -> 04:03.760] him down the radio. [04:03.760 -> 04:05.600] So that to me tells me that [04:05.600 -> 04:09.360] they are really important to you as a team and I know Max has sometimes said in the press [04:09.360 -> 04:13.600] conferences that he's not that bothered by statistics. But what does it mean for you and [04:13.600 -> 04:17.760] the team to be breaking all these records? Well it's what you're measured by as a team [04:17.760 -> 04:22.560] and I think for us we're incredibly proud of every statistic that we achieve and particularly [04:22.560 -> 04:29.440] as a reasonably young team I mean we're still not 20 years old and to think, you know, 13 World Championships, [04:29.440 -> 04:37.040] 107 victories, the amount of success and podiums that we've had has been phenomenal on this [04:37.040 -> 04:43.200] incredible journey so far. So, all of those statistics are incredibly, incredibly valued [04:43.200 -> 04:47.400] and important to us. The other thing you started doing at the end of races was playing music. [04:47.400 -> 04:48.400] Yeah. [04:48.400 -> 04:49.560] So how does this work logistically? [04:49.560 -> 04:52.280] Is it you plugging in your iPhone into a auxiliary cable? [04:52.280 -> 04:53.280] No, no, no. [04:53.280 -> 04:55.240] It's far simpler than that. [04:55.240 -> 05:03.600] It's basically taking Spotify and ramming it on the mouthpiece of the microphone and [05:03.600 -> 05:04.600] hitting the button. [05:04.600 -> 05:05.920] And it seemed to work pretty well. [05:05.920 -> 05:08.960] I mean, but it started in Brazil with Tom Jones. [05:08.960 -> 05:13.760] I didn't know that Max was such a big Tom Jones fan. [05:13.760 -> 05:15.560] You wouldn't put the two together, would you? [05:15.560 -> 05:20.320] Well, it was his father that told me in the celebration for his world championship in [05:20.320 -> 05:21.320] Qatar. [05:21.320 -> 05:25.640] And I was talking to him and said, you know, what music did Max listen to when he was a kid? [05:25.640 -> 05:28.360] And he said, well, when we were driving around Europe [05:28.360 -> 05:29.880] in our van going to kart races, [05:29.880 -> 05:33.240] I used to play a lot of Tom Jones and Green Green Grass. [05:33.240 -> 05:35.320] And I was like, Green Green Grass? [05:35.320 -> 05:38.400] And played it out the next day for him. [05:39.680 -> 05:41.280] So he had another race in Brazil [05:41.280 -> 05:43.840] and sure enough, he started singing away. [05:43.840 -> 05:45.200] Is it going to continue next year? [05:45.200 -> 05:49.280] Who knows, I mean he's got to start winning again. [05:49.280 -> 05:52.280] He's Elvis Presley, he was a better Tom Jones than he was Elvis Presley. [05:52.280 -> 05:53.280] Yeah, maybe. [05:53.280 -> 05:55.880] He's got a good voice, let's give him that. [05:55.880 -> 05:59.240] One thing I do want to ask you about, and this was actually raised in another podcast, [05:59.240 -> 06:03.640] The Fast and the Curious, Betty Glover, one of their presenters, raised this and it's [06:03.640 -> 06:10.280] hosted by Greg James and Christian Hugel as well. You were on the podium 21 times this year and there wasn't [06:10.280 -> 06:15.320] a female member of staff on the podium. And I just wonder what you think about that and [06:15.320 -> 06:17.960] I wonder if next year that's something you'd look to rectify. [06:17.960 -> 06:22.120] Well, I think what we've managed to do, and I'm very proud to have done this year, is [06:22.120 -> 06:26.320] address so many different departments of the of the business so many [06:27.160 -> 06:34.200] Departments that don't get the credit that they deserve now, of course in the past we've had Hannah go on the podium [06:34.920 -> 06:39.800] Who runs our strategy, but this year we've managed to get the truckies up [06:39.800 -> 06:48.240] We've managed to get people from IT up from electronics from, from the supply chain, from all aspects, our physio, [06:49.360 -> 06:50.880] all aspects of the business, [06:50.880 -> 06:52.560] we've managed to get up and represent it. [06:52.560 -> 06:54.620] And of course, it's a huge honour to go and collect [06:54.620 -> 06:56.580] the Constructors' Trophy on behalf of the team. [06:56.580 -> 07:01.320] And it's been great to see how much is meant [07:01.320 -> 07:02.920] to so many people. [07:02.920 -> 07:04.160] Do you think though next year, [07:04.160 -> 07:06.200] I mean, I know obviously Hannah is one of the best [07:06.200 -> 07:08.720] strategists in the paddock. [07:08.720 -> 07:11.000] Will that be something you'll look to do next year [07:11.000 -> 07:13.620] if the success continues is to put more of your female [07:13.620 -> 07:14.720] members of staff on the podium? [07:14.720 -> 07:15.560] Yeah, for sure. [07:15.560 -> 07:18.320] I think all members of staff deserve an opportunity [07:18.320 -> 07:23.320] if they've contributed and warrant a place on the podium, [07:23.400 -> 07:25.720] then they earn that right. [07:25.720 -> 07:29.120] And I think that Hannah has done that in the past [07:29.120 -> 07:33.880] and there'll be others and other girls in the future. [07:33.880 -> 07:35.240] We would have to think one of the first [07:35.240 -> 07:39.640] to put a female on the podium in Jill Ganderson [07:39.640 -> 07:44.640] many, many years ago, back in 2010 or 11. [07:44.760 -> 07:46.160] Yeah, and of course, it's so important, isn't it? If you can't see it, you can't be it. So yeah, that in 2010 or 11. Yeah, and of course it's so important, isn't it? [07:46.160 -> 07:47.500] If you can't see it, you can't be it. [07:47.500 -> 07:49.560] So yeah, that's good to hear. [07:49.560 -> 07:54.560] You're a football fan, aren't you? [08:00.200 -> 08:01.160] Coventry City. [08:01.160 -> 08:08.640] Well, fan is maybe excessive, but I grew up, my grandfather was heavily involved in Coventry City? Well a fan is maybe excessive but I grew up, my grandfather was heavily [08:08.640 -> 08:14.980] involved in Coventry City so we all had it embedded into us as kids. Okay, fine. I wanted [08:14.980 -> 08:18.000] to ask you if you're a football fan but I want to talk about another city, Manchester [08:18.000 -> 08:23.480] City. Because I hate drawing comparisons between football, I think it's a bit crass, but I [08:23.480 -> 08:27.680] think in the context of this it's quite interesting. Manchester City right now are experiencing a moment of huge [08:27.680 -> 08:32.640] domination and success in football. Red Bull are experiencing a huge amount of success and [08:32.640 -> 08:40.080] domination in Formula One. At the weekend there was discussion on Sky with Micah Richards saying [08:40.080 -> 08:43.520] something's not right at Manchester City, they don't quite look at the same level they were last [08:43.520 -> 08:46.640] year. Gary Neville said that he may be sensing a bit of boredom [08:46.640 -> 08:48.100] or complacency within the team. [08:48.100 -> 08:51.280] And I wonder as a leader of a sporting organisation [08:51.280 -> 08:54.520] like Red Bull, after the success you've had, [08:54.520 -> 08:57.120] how do you ensure next year [08:57.120 -> 09:00.320] you don't have a complacent workforce? [09:00.320 -> 09:02.440] I think everybody is so motivated by success. [09:02.440 -> 09:04.520] And of course, you know, Singapore still hurt this year [09:04.520 -> 09:05.540] that we lost a race and [09:06.120 -> 09:09.800] That's a big reminder. It's a humbling reminder that the you know [09:09.800 -> 09:16.280] it's not that easy and we've got some massive competitors that want to beat us that want to see us fail and and [09:17.240 -> 09:20.240] it's that motivation that charges us and drives us and [09:21.880 -> 09:27.120] That fit that winning feeling becomes addictive and that nobody wants to lose that winning feeling becomes addictive and nobody wants to lose that winning feeling. [09:28.120 -> 09:30.960] Is it important then to have people who were there for the years [09:30.960 -> 09:32.240] where you weren't winning all the time [09:32.240 -> 09:34.600] and do they remember that feeling [09:34.600 -> 09:36.480] and that's what you get motivation from? [09:36.480 -> 09:38.440] Maybe in the words of Sebastian Vettel, [09:38.440 -> 09:40.880] you have to remember these days, they're not going to last forever. [09:40.880 -> 09:42.280] Well, look, everybody plays a key role [09:42.280 -> 09:43.600] and one of the things that we've had at Red Bull [09:43.600 -> 09:45.280] has been tremendous continuity. [09:45.280 -> 09:47.360] A lot of our staff have been there for a long time. [09:47.360 -> 09:49.080] We don't have a high turnover in staff. [09:49.080 -> 09:50.800] So they've been there on the good days. [09:50.800 -> 09:52.480] They've been there on the not so good days. [09:52.480 -> 09:58.040] And in sport, you tend to have more days that you lose than you win. [09:58.040 -> 10:07.600] And I think it's that winning feeling that you have to harness and capture and celebrate and enjoy, because you never [10:07.600 -> 10:13.440] know when it's going to come to an end. With that in mind then, when you look across the paddock to [10:13.440 -> 10:17.840] Mercedes and what Toto is experiencing at the moment, I don't expect necessarily you to have [10:17.840 -> 10:22.240] sympathy with Mercedes. It's a cutthroat business Formula 1, I wouldn't expect you to say that. But [10:22.240 -> 10:25.120] do you empathise with the challenge that he's [10:25.120 -> 10:30.240] got? Because obviously when Mercedes were winning eight Constructors' titles in a row, you were [10:30.240 -> 10:35.600] fighting and trying to get up there. So he's now got that challenge. What do you make of that [10:35.600 -> 10:39.040] challenge that he's got? It is a challenge. I mean, it's a massive challenge. Of course, [10:39.040 -> 10:45.440] he came into the sport on the back of a winning team and enjoyed a huge period of success and serial success [10:45.440 -> 10:49.240] for seven or eight years. [10:49.240 -> 10:54.680] And then suddenly it's a big adjustment to not be going to Grands Prix. [10:54.680 -> 10:59.560] I think Mercedes have won one race in the last two seasons. [10:59.560 -> 11:01.700] And that will hurt. [11:01.700 -> 11:05.840] People start questioning things in the organisation and [11:11.200 -> 11:12.000] you know heads drop and you know as a leader you have to motivate them, you have to [11:19.120 -> 11:24.320] pick them up and it's a totally different challenge to one of being you know at the top of the field to striving to get back there. How so? How is that challenge so different? [11:22.000 -> 11:23.000] to striving to get back there. How so? [11:23.000 -> 11:25.200] How is that challenge so different? [11:25.200 -> 11:29.880] I think that it's making sure that people believe [11:29.880 -> 11:33.720] in themselves and trying to instill a confidence. [11:35.000 -> 11:36.560] And it's inevitable that when you've been winning [11:36.560 -> 11:39.880] for a long period of time, that when suddenly [11:39.880 -> 11:43.240] you're not winning, then that's when fingers [11:43.240 -> 11:49.200] start getting pointed and the team gets truly challenged [11:49.200 -> 11:50.200] during that period. [11:50.200 -> 11:53.200] And that's why I'm particularly proud at Red Bull. [11:53.200 -> 11:57.280] During the period that we weren't able to be in a winning position, which was largely [11:57.280 -> 12:01.560] out of our control, we were still winning races in every single year. [12:01.560 -> 12:06.840] Two or three races. By 2015, we won a minimum of two or three races every [12:06.840 -> 12:18.800] year. And the places that we could do so, where the engine disadvantage was nullified. [12:18.800 -> 12:22.240] When you look back at the last couple of years, since the regulations changed and obviously [12:22.240 -> 12:30.280] you've interpreted them better than anyone else. Are you surprised that other teams haven't been at your level? [12:30.280 -> 12:35.240] Well, look, we're up against some great teams and we're seeing those teams move around a [12:35.240 -> 12:40.200] bit. I mean, Aston started the year very strong and then McLaren came on very strong in the [12:40.200 -> 12:45.800] second half of the year. Ferrari and Mercedes had their moments. They were all [12:45.800 -> 12:52.200] very competitive, very strong teams. I think our opponents just kept moving around behind [12:52.200 -> 13:00.200] us. It wasn't the same opponent from weekend to weekend. It would be Mercedes in Austin. [13:00.200 -> 13:08.960] We got Monaco with Aston Martin. We had Silverstone with McLaren, Las Vegas with Ferrari, [13:08.960 -> 13:13.120] it just kept moving around. [13:13.120 -> 13:14.680] Would you rather have just one? [13:14.680 -> 13:15.680] No. [13:15.680 -> 13:17.680] No, you don't care as long as you're winning. [13:17.680 -> 13:19.160] I think all we can control is ourselves. [13:19.160 -> 13:20.160] Yeah, of course. [13:20.160 -> 13:21.800] So it's not worth worrying about that. [13:21.800 -> 13:26.320] We're racing everybody, you've got to beat everyone to finish first and therefore the only thing we can control [13:26.320 -> 13:27.160] is what we're doing. [13:27.160 -> 13:28.200] Yeah. [13:28.200 -> 13:30.640] There's a photo from Abu Dhabi of you and Toto Wolff. [13:30.640 -> 13:31.480] Yeah. [13:31.480 -> 13:32.300] Do you know the one I'm talking about? [13:32.300 -> 13:33.140] Yes. [13:33.140 -> 13:35.320] I've got, I've printed it out. [13:35.320 -> 13:36.600] It's this one here. [13:36.600 -> 13:38.400] Yeah, it's an amusing moment [13:38.400 -> 13:42.240] because I think my wife had just smacked his bum so hard. [13:42.240 -> 13:43.080] Oh, right. [13:44.200 -> 13:47.560] That I think it took him a bit by surprise. You probably can't see [13:47.560 -> 13:56.640] my clenched fist that is out of shot there. But look, I mean it's been a long season and [13:56.640 -> 14:02.880] there has to be competition on track but there still has to be a respect. [14:02.880 -> 14:05.680] Yeah, I think it's certainly on social media, [14:05.680 -> 14:06.880] people actually really enjoyed it. [14:06.880 -> 14:08.680] I think it was nice to see at the end of a long, [14:08.680 -> 14:12.440] hard season, that sort of level of respect. [14:12.440 -> 14:14.440] I mean, what is your relationship like with Toto? [14:14.440 -> 14:15.920] How would you describe that at the moment? [14:16.000 -> 14:17.880] I respect, obviously, of course, [14:17.880 -> 14:20.440] everything that he's done and achieved in the sport. [14:20.440 -> 14:29.000] I think we're very different as people and leaders. [14:29.000 -> 14:34.000] But as I said, there's not a respect there. [14:34.000 -> 14:39.000] And I would say that we have a professional relationship. [14:39.000 -> 14:51.320] Do you make New Year's resolutions? Don't we all want to get fitter? Yeah, you know. The classics, [14:51.320 -> 14:55.120] the usual ones. All the usual classics. Okay, well I thought we could maybe make some New [14:55.120 -> 14:59.400] Year's resolutions but for your drivers. This is kind of an interesting one because I don't [14:59.400 -> 15:03.640] know who's going to be easier or harder so I'm intrigued to get your thoughts on this. [15:03.640 -> 15:08.120] Let's start with Max, the man who has won 19 Formula One races this year. [15:08.120 -> 15:10.000] What could he do better in 2024? [15:10.000 -> 15:10.840] Well, very little. [15:10.840 -> 15:11.680] I mean, he could do, [15:11.680 -> 15:13.180] certainly three races he could have been better, [15:13.180 -> 15:15.480] but that was beyond his control, most of them. [15:17.040 -> 15:19.680] So yeah, I mean, what an unbelievable year he's had. [15:19.680 -> 15:22.560] He's just been absolutely incredible. [15:22.560 -> 15:27.560] So it's impossible to fault, you to fault the season that he's had. [15:27.840 -> 15:29.200] Is the New Year's resolution, [15:29.200 -> 15:31.120] keep up the consistency in the level? [15:31.120 -> 15:33.040] Just keep doing what you're doing. [15:33.040 -> 15:35.300] Yeah, which might be very hard. [15:35.300 -> 15:37.080] I mean, on the subject of Max, [15:37.080 -> 15:38.280] I think this year has been interesting [15:38.280 -> 15:39.740] because we've heard him talk more than ever [15:39.740 -> 15:41.800] about life after Formula One. [15:41.800 -> 15:43.720] He said things like, it's a lot of traveling [15:43.720 -> 15:50.000] and he questioned whether being an F1 driver was actually a good life. Where do you stand? When you hear that as [15:50.000 -> 15:55.360] his boss, where do you think his head's at in terms of, do you think he's got a contract till [15:55.360 -> 16:02.080] 2028 of course, but after that what do you foresee? Look, he's a competitive guy and the calendar's [16:02.080 -> 16:05.480] gruelling, he's 26 years of age, he's looking at drivers [16:05.480 -> 16:11.920] that are 42, he probably can't imagine himself driving for that length of time, I doubt he [16:11.920 -> 16:17.480] will. I think Max knows his own mind, he's his own person, he has his own strength of [16:17.480 -> 16:23.760] character and I think while he's motivated and committed he'll continue in Formula 1 [16:23.760 -> 16:26.280] but I think if he loses that motivation, [16:26.280 -> 16:29.520] I don't think he would stay around that long. [16:29.520 -> 16:32.240] So will he be racing when he's 42? [16:32.240 -> 16:33.360] I very much doubt it. [16:34.240 -> 16:36.360] And you've known him for a long time. [16:36.360 -> 16:40.440] I was hearing that you race karts with his mum. [16:40.440 -> 16:42.520] So you've known of Max Verstappen pretty much [16:42.520 -> 16:44.040] his whole life. [16:44.040 -> 16:45.140] How has he changed? [16:45.140 -> 16:48.680] I appreciate he's changed probably an awful lot since he was very young, but in the last [16:48.680 -> 16:53.420] sort of, since these last three years have come and the success has come, how has he [16:53.420 -> 16:54.420] changed? [16:54.420 -> 16:57.180] The great thing is he hasn't really changed since joining us as an 18-year-old. [16:57.180 -> 17:02.580] I mean, yes, of course, he's matured and he's a young man now, but that enthusiasm, that [17:02.580 -> 17:09.120] determination, that grit, phenomenal car control and natural ability, [17:09.120 -> 17:10.120] none of that has changed. [17:10.120 -> 17:13.760] And he hasn't, you know, none of the fame or the wealth has gone to his head. [17:13.760 -> 17:17.200] He's still the same guy. [17:17.200 -> 17:19.280] You know, he's still very popular in the garage. [17:19.280 -> 17:20.800] He keeps himself to himself. [17:20.800 -> 17:21.800] He'll talk his own mind. [17:21.800 -> 17:24.280] He'll tell you what he thinks. [17:24.280 -> 17:31.600] He's not trying to be a stereotype, he is who he is and I think that you have to have a lot of respect for that. And [17:32.640 -> 17:38.560] of course he has the benefit of experience now which he's using extremely well. [17:39.440 -> 17:43.200] Let's move on to Chaco. What are his New Year's resolutions for 2024? [17:43.200 -> 17:45.440] I think his biggest resolution will be [17:46.000 -> 17:50.720] to sort his qualifying out. I mean, that's been his Achilles heel at certain points this year, [17:50.720 -> 17:55.520] and I think that if he can do that, then his race pace is always strong, he races very well. [17:56.480 -> 18:04.480] So, yeah, we need him qualifying nearer the front, nearer to max, and putting more pressure on. We [18:04.480 -> 18:06.720] can't afford for him to go missing at certain [18:06.720 -> 18:11.920] points of the championship and have that consistency. He finished second this year, [18:11.920 -> 18:15.440] third last year, fourth the year before, so he's on the right trajectory. He's on the [18:15.440 -> 18:20.400] trending for a World Championship next year, yeah. I mean, how different are the two drivers [18:20.400 -> 18:29.000] and how challenging is it to create a car that suits both Max and Checo? Of course Of course they are different but we just develop the fastest car that we can and it's the drivers [18:29.000 -> 18:33.480] extracting, adapt and get the most out of it. [18:33.480 -> 18:34.480] Simple as that. [18:34.480 -> 18:42.440] Yeah, we're not developing in one route or another, we develop a car to be the most competitive [18:42.440 -> 18:45.240] car that we can and then of, it's down to the drivers [18:45.240 -> 18:47.040] to what can they extract out of it [18:47.040 -> 18:50.880] and how they adjust their style and nuances accordingly. [18:50.880 -> 18:52.600] I want to move on and talk about Alfa Tauri [18:52.600 -> 18:55.400] and the relationship that Red Bull and Alfa Tauri have. [18:55.400 -> 18:57.920] Firstly, is there any news on a new name? [18:57.920 -> 18:59.200] We're not going to get that exclusive. [18:59.200 -> 19:01.200] I'm sure they'll be the first to tell you when there is, [19:01.200 -> 19:02.880] but nothing is yet. [19:02.880 -> 19:05.280] We'll call them Alfa Taur, as we know them at the moment. [19:06.160 -> 19:08.880] What is the relationship between Alpha Tauri and Red Bull Racing? [19:08.880 -> 19:11.600] And I ask that because historically they've been a junior team, [19:11.600 -> 19:14.880] but if you look at the lineups now, you've got a very good lineup. [19:14.880 -> 19:19.840] You know, Snowdo, he's no spring chicken, but then you've got 34-year-old Daniel Ricciardo. [19:19.840 -> 19:22.720] So what is their purpose, if you will? [19:22.720 -> 19:27.280] Well, they're both Red Bull Racing drivers, so both there to be called upon if we, should we need them. [19:27.280 -> 19:31.160] I mean, Alfa Tauri is owned by the same shareholders [19:31.160 -> 19:33.200] as Red Bull Racing, but of course, [19:33.200 -> 19:35.640] the way that they operate is independent [19:35.640 -> 19:38.880] from Red Bull Racing, but they take benefit [19:38.880 -> 19:41.940] of the parts that are allowed to be transferred, [19:41.940 -> 19:44.600] like the gearbox and the suspension and so on, [19:44.600 -> 19:51.600] in the same way that Williams and Aston Martin have done so with Mercedes or Haas with Ferrari. [19:51.600 -> 19:59.520] So obviously they're based in Italy, but they have a new management coming in, and Peter [19:59.520 -> 20:05.720] Bayer as CEO and Lauren Mechies as team principal principal and they're both competitive guys, they both [20:05.720 -> 20:10.000] want to compete to move the team forward. [20:10.000 -> 20:19.000] And so it has a new drive behind it and essentially they're a customer of Red Bull Racing. [20:19.000 -> 20:21.000] I read that you said it's not going to be a pink Mercedes. [20:21.000 -> 20:22.000] No. [20:22.000 -> 20:23.000] No, it won't be. [20:23.000 -> 20:25.000] I mean, they're designing their own car, they've [20:25.000 -> 20:31.080] got their own ideas. Whilst they use the same wind tunnel and certain components, not all [20:31.080 -> 20:37.000] aerodynamic surfaces as per the regs, they have to conceive and develop themselves. But [20:37.000 -> 20:42.520] will it look or be similar to this year's Red Bull? Is there any? I'm pretty sure that [20:42.520 -> 20:49.760] a lot of cars on the grid, I mean, when you look at the McLaren, you look at the Aston, you can see design influences from [20:49.760 -> 21:03.320] our car. So, and I'm sure that's going to be up and down the grid next year. [21:03.320 -> 21:07.840] Let's talk about Daniel Ricciardo. I impressed have you been this year with his return to [21:07.840 -> 21:12.580] Formula One? And how excited are you by the fact that he's now got a pre-season ahead [21:12.580 -> 21:16.160] of him with Alfa Tauri and he can hopefully properly hit the ground running? [21:16.160 -> 21:19.800] Well, it's great to see Daniel back in Formula One. I think it was something I was very keen [21:19.800 -> 21:26.840] to bring him back into the fold over the winter. And when he came to us, you could see [21:26.840 -> 21:28.400] he was pretty much done with Formula One [21:28.400 -> 21:29.480] and he wasn't enjoying it, [21:29.480 -> 21:32.240] but slowly that smile came back, that energy came back. [21:32.240 -> 21:34.680] And certainly the test he did in Silverstone [21:34.680 -> 21:37.000] for us mid-season was truly, truly impressive [21:37.000 -> 21:39.460] and the work behind the scenes on the simulator. [21:39.460 -> 21:42.160] So he deserved the chance in the AlphaTauri. [21:42.160 -> 21:44.400] He was unlucky then to break his hand in Zandvoort, [21:44.400 -> 21:46.080] but I thought he drove very well this year. [21:46.080 -> 21:49.120] And most importantly, he put some engineering direction [21:49.120 -> 21:50.800] into the team with the experience he had. [21:50.800 -> 21:55.120] And I think that really benefited the Alfa Tauri team. [21:55.120 -> 21:58.320] What lessons have you learned from that second Red Bull seat? [21:59.360 -> 22:02.400] Over the course of the lifespan of Red Bull Racing, [22:02.400 -> 22:05.360] it's had a kind of quite a colourful history. So as you sit here, almost 20 years into Red Bull Racing, it's had quite a colourful history. [22:05.360 -> 22:09.840] So, as you sit here almost 20 years into Red Bull Racing, what are the lessons you've learned? [22:09.840 -> 22:13.320] Well, we always feel the most competitive cars that we can. There's never a difference [22:13.320 -> 22:18.200] between the two cars. Now, we had an era with Sebastian where he was incredibly dominant [22:18.200 -> 22:25.840] and it was difficult to be his team-mate teammate. Now with Max, exactly the same thing. [22:25.840 -> 22:28.160] He's, he is a machine. [22:28.160 -> 22:32.760] He is arguably certainly the best driver currently [22:32.760 -> 22:35.720] in Formula One as a three-time world champion. [22:35.720 -> 22:38.240] And to be his teammate is incredibly tough. [22:38.240 -> 22:41.960] And if you're not psychologically strong, [22:41.960 -> 22:43.920] you won't cope with being his teammate. [22:43.920 -> 22:44.960] It's as simple as that. [22:44.960 -> 22:51.360] He's just relentless in his pace, in the way that he operates. [22:51.360 -> 22:53.600] I think that's been one of the positives with Checo, [22:53.600 -> 22:59.120] is that he's had the strength of character to be able to deal with that. [22:59.120 -> 23:02.000] We've seen it sort of break others in the past. [23:02.000 -> 23:05.680] But yeah, it's a tough gig to be his teammate. [23:05.680 -> 23:08.800] It is. I mean, could you ever see a situation where you put a junior [23:08.800 -> 23:12.160] driver in there to kind of learn from Max? Because as Max gets older, [23:12.720 -> 23:17.280] do you think he'll soften perhaps? Do you think he'll be more willing to share expertise and [23:17.280 -> 23:18.160] knowledge in that team? [23:18.160 -> 23:22.640] I think the expectations on the Red Bull drivers are so high, it would be very unfair to put a [23:22.640 -> 23:30.160] junior straight into Red Bull Racing. And that's the luxury of having Alpha Tauris that is provided Max, it provided Seb, Daniel [23:30.160 -> 23:37.200] Ricciardo. So many drivers, so many of our drivers over the years have come out of Alpha Tauri cars. [23:38.080 -> 23:42.240] Moving on, speaking about F1 more broadly, as I mentioned, I mean, you've been in Formula One [23:42.240 -> 23:48.800] coming up to 20 years with Red Bull. In this period right now, perhaps since the pandemic, we've seen sprint races, [23:48.800 -> 23:52.480] three races in the States, there's rumours of a street track in Madrid coming at the [23:52.480 -> 23:58.880] expense of Barcelona, 24 races next year. Is this a period of immense change within [23:58.880 -> 24:00.560] Formula One, the most that you've seen? [24:00.560 -> 24:06.160] Yeah, massive. The sport has been transformed. It's now truly a global sport. It has global [24:06.160 -> 24:13.040] appeal. The US has been broken. The appeal of the sport, everybody knows Formula One now. [24:14.960 -> 24:19.600] I think that that's why there's so much demand to have races, so much demand for action. [24:20.800 -> 24:28.520] And the fan base is now bringing in as well. It's much more diverse, it's a much younger fan base, a much more female fan base as well. [24:28.520 -> 24:34.000] It's fantastic. So it's the biggest change I've seen, certainly in the last 20 years. [24:34.000 -> 24:39.200] What do you make of that change in fans and that demographic? It really has shifted, hasn't it? [24:39.200 -> 24:42.520] What changes have you seen tangibly at the tracks? [24:42.520 -> 24:48.480] It's fantastic to see so many fans, so many people that want to know and follow Formula One. [24:48.480 -> 24:50.960] And everybody knows what Formula One [24:50.960 -> 24:52.840] and who the characters and personalities are. [24:52.840 -> 24:56.080] And you forget how big globally the sport is now [24:56.080 -> 24:58.880] and the appeal that it has. [24:58.880 -> 25:03.160] And to see young fans really wanting to get involved. [25:03.160 -> 25:04.840] I mean, I have a 17 year old daughter [25:04.840 -> 25:05.520] and she and her friends showed no interest in Formula One. to see young fans really wanted to get involved. I mean, I have a 17-year-old daughter and [25:05.520 -> 25:11.120] she and her friends showed no interest in Formula One, you know, two, three, four years [25:11.120 -> 25:15.080] ago. Now they're all completely hooked on it. [25:15.080 -> 25:18.680] Does that, do you ever consult your family like that? Do you ever kind of run things [25:18.680 -> 25:21.200] past them or ask their opinion? [25:21.200 -> 25:27.240] Absolutely. And my daughter came and did some work experience in the summer. [25:27.240 -> 25:32.200] It was her that came up with a concept for the Elvis suits in Vegas. [25:32.200 -> 25:37.520] So yeah, you know, and you've got to listen to the younger generation. [25:37.520 -> 25:40.040] You've got to respect the elder generation. [25:40.040 -> 25:49.520] But there's this new following in Formula One and Sky do a fantastic job of providing the [25:49.520 -> 25:54.480] information and covering the races, but you've got obviously the Netflix phenomenon that has [25:54.480 -> 25:59.440] just brought this massive, it's been a game changer for the sport and it's just brought a massive new [26:00.000 -> 26:04.480] audience into Formula One that previously wouldn't have known what it was. [26:04.480 -> 26:06.720] And as one of the stars of Drive to Survive, [26:06.720 -> 26:09.840] has your, do you find yourself being recognised in very strange, [26:09.840 -> 26:13.360] odd places in a way that maybe didn't happen at the start of your career? [26:13.360 -> 26:16.080] It's changed life significantly. [26:17.920 -> 26:21.120] You know, I used to be very recognised within a Formula One paddock, [26:21.120 -> 26:24.400] now I'm recognised in a whole host of places. [26:24.400 -> 26:25.160] And it certainly used to be my wife at Immigration that would get stopped I'm recognised within a Formula One paddock now, recognised in a whole host of places. [26:25.160 -> 26:27.200] Certainly used to be my wife at immigration [26:27.200 -> 26:29.800] that would get stopped as we were going into the US. [26:31.120 -> 26:32.120] But now it's people say, [26:32.120 -> 26:33.720] oh, you're the guy how to drive survive. [26:33.720 -> 26:38.560] So, yeah, it is different, but it's fantastic. [26:38.560 -> 26:39.960] It's always great to meet the fans [26:39.960 -> 26:44.800] and meet people that are so interested in Formula One. [26:44.800 -> 26:49.560] Final thought, we've spoken about Max leaving Formula One [26:49.560 -> 26:52.600] and I wonder what your plans are long-term. [26:52.600 -> 26:54.400] Do you ever think about, [26:54.400 -> 26:55.600] we don't want to see you go, of course, [26:55.600 -> 26:57.040] but I mean, do you ever think long-term [26:57.040 -> 26:58.640] in terms of what your ambitions are, [26:58.640 -> 27:00.480] perhaps in a career outside of Formula One? [27:00.480 -> 27:02.440] Is that something that's on the cards? [27:02.440 -> 27:04.200] Well, a long-term in Formula One is about two weeks [27:04.200 -> 27:08.000] and I've had offers coming in in the past to get involved in other sports, [27:08.000 -> 27:14.000] to get in other entities, but at heart I'm a racer and I love what I do. [27:14.000 -> 27:18.000] And I have a commitment and responsibility for the team, [27:18.000 -> 27:20.000] having been there since the beginning. [27:20.000 -> 27:24.000] And still, as the second youngest now team principal in Formula 1, [27:24.000 -> 27:27.440] I still got a few years left in me. [27:27.440 -> 27:30.400] And whilst my motivation is still sky high, [27:30.400 -> 27:33.520] I mean, with Red Bull powertrains coming in 2026, [27:33.520 -> 27:37.440] that's by far the biggest challenge that I'll have in my time in Formula 1. [27:37.440 -> 27:43.200] So, yeah, it still motivates me to get out of bed every day [27:43.200 -> 27:45.560] and I'm excited every day that I go to work. [27:45.560 -> 27:46.560] Lovely to hear. [27:46.560 -> 27:47.560] Christian, it's been a pleasure. [27:47.560 -> 27:48.560] Thanks for joining us. [27:48.560 -> None] Thank you very much.