Does Horner feel sorry for Kvyat? How did Red Bull come to the decision? Could it be too early for Verstappen?
Tuesday 5 July 2016 08:21, UK
Christian Horner addresses the media ahead of the Spanish GP and covers all topics regarding the Max Verstappen and Daniil Kvyat swap between Red Bull and Toro Rosso.
Daniil said he hasn't had a real explanation as to why this decision was made, what's your explanation for the move?
Christian Horner: "Of course, many people will judge it to be harsh or unjust, possibly. But Red Bull is in a unique position where we have four cockpits in Formula 1 in Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso, and at the moment they're four relatively competitive cockpits.
"We have an awful lot of information about the drivers. They come through the junior programme, we see how they develop on the simulator, we analyse their performance in the car, we generate a huge amount of data, knowledge, information, together with other testing that we do with the drivers.
"We came to the conclusion that Daniil has been struggling a little bit for form compared to his team-mate, there had been a consistent pattern there. The discussion arose about Max and within the contractual situation that we have with these drivers and the four cockpits we had a unique opportunity to shuffle the order.
"So, rather than waiting until later in the year we elected to get on and do that in time for the European season and thus effectively switch the two drivers, Verstappen into the Red Bull Racing car and Daniil into the Toro Rosso."
Does that mean you would have done the same if the accident in Russia had not happened?
CH: "I think the accident in Russia for many people is seen as a catalyst but there's obviously an awful lot more that is considered than just one Sunday afternoon. As I say, we're privy to an awful lot of information with these guys. It wasn't a decision that was taken lightly, and it was given a huge amount of consideration.
"There were other factors obviously as well regarding the longer term and future of the Red Bull Racing team regarding its driver line-up.
"You could wait until the test after Silverstone, you could wait until the end of the year, but we elected that actually, if we're going to do it, let's get on and do it in time for the European season.
"Both the drivers were in the factory on Friday of last week testing in the simulator for their respective teams. While it might seem unnatural for another team, the fact that Red Bull does have these four cockpits, it allows us essentially to have that flexibility and deem what we see as putting our best foot forward."
When you talk about long term, do you have in mind that other teams are interested in Max as well and this is probably a chance for Red Bull to show him how important he is?
CH: "Of course. Max Verstappen is, make no mistake about it, one of the hottest properties in Formula 1 at this point in time. It's only natural that other teams would show interest in a driver that's demonstrating that kind of ability and talent. It also kills off the driver market regarding Red Bull drivers, certainly for the foreseeable future.
Do you feel sorry for Daniil?
CH: "Look, I think it's a harsh decision. Feeling sorry for Dani, on one hand you can see that he's not driving a Red Bull Racing car, but he's still driving in a competitive car in Formula 1.
"I think he takes some solace from the fact that any other driver who hasn't succeeded at Toro Rosso or Red Bull Racing hasn't been retained. Formula 1 costs Red Bull tens of millions of pounds, if we didn't believe in him as a talent he wouldn't have been retained.
"I think putting him into Toro Rosso will enable him to recover his confidence and form and of course we can evaluate it from there."
Do you think it's fair to suggest that the door hasn't been closed on him coming back here?
CH: "As we've demonstrated, anything is possible. The contracts that they have obviously permit the team to cross the drivers across those seats."
Is there any sense that going forward that if you want to win a Constructors' Championship, you've got to have two absolute top drivers in your Red Bull team?
CH: "You always want to put your best foot forward and have the most competitive driver line-up as you can possibly have.
"I think a Ricciardo-Verstappen line-up potentially is one of the, if not the, strongest pairing of future years. Of course that depends on how things develop and pan out and how regulation changes come in for next year. With the power units hopefully converging, that provides some opportunities for this team over the next couple of seasons."
Has Verstappen's contractual situation changed in any way during this process?
CH: "I'm not going to tell you what, but yes. He's beyond any doubt committed to this team for multiple years."
Will he get more money as a Red Bull driver?
CH: "The salaries between the drivers are absolutely fixed so both drivers will be earning the same as what they were earning, respectively."
Was Daniil warned that he was effectively driving for his seat?
CH: "With these guys, there's always pressure. Particularly in our scenario, you've got a junior team where if drivers are performing you have the ability to upgrade drivers. That pressure has inevitably been there since the pre-season test. That's not something that needs to be spelt out to a driver on a daily basis."
Was there some impatience from Verstappen's side to make the move earlier in the season?
CH: "No, there was no pressure at all. Max was actually more surprised than Daniil was, to be honest with you. There was no positioning or pressure from Max's side or management in any way."
Do you think it could be too early to put him in at 18 against Ricciardo?
CH: "Certain people said it was too early for him when he came in at 16. I think he's proved to be one of the most exciting things currently about Formula 1 in the paddock.
"He's demonstrated that he's got a great amount of natural talent, great natural ability. He can overtake, he can race.
"He's got an awful lot to learn but he's got a very mature head on young shoulders. Certainly, everything I've seen in his development so far has impressed me enormously and I think that curve will continue."
Do you think he'll give you some flash points in terms of managing him? There seemed to be a break down at Toro Rosso.
CH: "I'm not really aware what's happened at Toro Rosso, I can only judge what's happened at our team. We've had difficult relationships with our drivers before, it tends to happen when you've got two quick ones.
"I don't see it being an issue. I think that he's growing as a driver but also as a young man as well. When he gains more experience his outlook is going to change on certain things but you can see this absolute desire burning within him at the moment, and competitiveness, and of course a huge amount of talent.
"Of course, he's going up against one of the very best drivers in Formula 1 as a benchmark and that is Daniel RIcciardo. The way Daniel's driving at the moment I don't believe there's a better driver in Formula 1. The thought of the pairing is fantastically exciting for us."
Which driver is under the most pressure in Spain?
Watch the Spanish GP live on Sky Sports F1. The race starts at 1pm on Sunday, with build-up underway at 11.30am. Or watch the race without a contract for £6.99 on NOW TV.
