Christian Horner anticipates ‘competitive’ Monaco Grand Prix

Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes Monaco Grand Prix will be a tight fight, as McLaren and Ferrari have closed the gap

On Thursday Max Verstappen conceded that the 2024 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix will be a very competitive weekend, and that things at the front of the field have “closed up” given recent performances from both McLaren and Ferrari.

His boss picked up that baton on Friday, carrying it onto the FIA Press Conference.

Speaking Friday in Monaco, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner echoed Verstappen’s comments, noting that he expects a very “competitive” Monaco Grand Prix.

“Well, look, I mean, obviously Imola was a difficult, or a more difficult, weekend where we achieved pole position and a Grand Prix victory. But it was a much closer finish and it was a race of very much of two halves for us,” said Horner Friday. “The first half of the race was very strong in the second half, or the last 20 laps really, we faded in performance. I think we’ve taken a lot of lessons out of Imola.

“Monaco’s a completely different challenge. You can see, I think, the Ferraris will be quick, the McLarens will be quick. You know, Mercedes looked quick in that first session as well. So it’s going to be a very competitive qualifying tomorrow afternoon.”

The Red Bull boss also called the current “convergence” at the front of the field “inevitable,” given that F1 is in the third year of the current regulations, as well as the impact of the cost cap.

“Well, it’s inevitable. I mean, we’re in year three of these regulations, and it’s inevitable that you’re going to get convergence. It’s amazing that we’ve managed to stay ahead for so long. But as the cars converge in look and shape and therefore lap time, it’s inevitable that there’s going to be strong competition,” said Horner. “So we fully expect that here in Monaco. It’s a unique layout on the calendar and of course, it’s all down to that one lap tomorrow afternoon.

“Well, I think we’re a bit more iterative. So obviously, we’ve bought some pieces here and there, and they’ve done what they’ve said on the [simulator]. But when you start to get to the top of the curve, you get into a law of diminishing returns in terms of the amount of development that is earning its place on the car,” added Horner. “And of course, with the cost cap now, you have to be very selective of when you introduce those upgrades.”

The FIA Press Conference took place after Friday’s first practice session, which saw Verstappen finish only 11th. Horner was asked about that performance, with a comparison drawn to similar struggles for Verstappen on the Friday ahead of last weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

“I think there’s always a pressure to improve and nobody puts more pressure on ourselves than within the team and I think that we’re seeing convergence and we’re seeing different types of venue, different compounds of [tire] as well and I think form will fluctuate from circuit to circuit,” described Horner. “So I think that obviously the Friday in Imola, the car was tricky to drive and I think the team did a great job in turning that round and Max was outstanding to get the pole and the victory. So today is a little distorted by some teams running three sets of tyres, including the soft [tire], but let’s have a look this afternoon and in FP3, because obviously this race is all about qualifying.”

While Verstappen looked to take a step forward in that second session, posting the fourth-fastest time, the Red Bull driver was also complaining of some bouncing in the car, comparing it to being a kangaroo:

Can Verstappen, Horner, and company tame that kangaroo in time for a big qualifying sesson?

Time will tell.