SUMMARY
- Max Verstappen pulls off the most clinical performance in the 2024 pre-season testing in Bahrain.
- Christian Horner believes that Mercedes could join the battle for the title this year.
The 2024 Formula 1 pre-season testing has come to an end, as the entire motorsport fraternity now awaits the season-opener at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Indeed, Max Verstappen was the clear winner of the crucial three-day outing in Sakhir, with Red Bull RB20 looking deadlier than ever, thanks to aero-head Adrian Newey’s masterstroke.
However, the question is, can anyone take on the mighty three-time world champion in what could be a miraculous challenge for the title this year? Well, Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, believes one driver could be a threat to Verstappen, and it’s none other than his old nemesis Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton is marching into his final year with Mercedes, and hence, the seven-time world champion would desire to seek redemption for the chaotic 2021 season finale. What’s more, Mercedes are looking quite convinced by the W15’s performance, making this the best scenario for Hamilton to win his eighth world championship title.
Not to forget, the British star hasn’t really faced much competition from his teammate, George Russell. Therefore, the Brackley outfit will likely continue to prioritize Hamilton this year, hoping to win a trophy one last time before letting him go to Maranello.
Christian Horner predicts big Lewis Hamilton-Max Verstappen clash in 2024
After witnessing the pre-season test in Bahrain, the entire motorsport community looks convinced that Verstappen will effortlessly punch his way through the entire field yet again. However, Horner isn’t ready to get his hopes high as of yet.
The Briton opined that Toto Wolff and Co. are more than capable of cooking something extraordinary and taking the fight to seemingly dominant Red Bull.
Christian Horner identifies Mercedes as Red Bull’s biggest threat in 2024:
“Mercedes has great strength in depth.”
“Obviously, they’ve had a difficult period, but they have great drivers, and they will get it together, one would assume, at some point.” pic.twitter.com/5e6dWZ8Ozs
— Mercedes-AMG F1 News (@MercedesNewsUK) January 23, 2024
“I’m sure over the next two years we’re going to see much closer racing,” he said according to Planet F1. “We will not repeat the year. It will go down as a unicorn year for us, that’s for sure.” He further picked his potential threat for 2024. “Mercedes has great strength in depth,” Horner added.
“Obviously, they’ve had a difficult period, but they’ve great drivers, and they will get it together, one would assume, at some point.” Mercedes dropped the ball when Verstappen won his first championship trophy in 2021. And since then, it has been a one-sided affair for the Dutchman and his squad. Hence, can Hamilton and Co. spur a miracle and bring about a refreshing twist to the rather predictable plot this year?