Christian Horner Cautiously Confident With Red Bull 1-2 At Bahrain GP: "Reserve Judgment"
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has reflected on the first race of the 2023 season in Bahrain, saying it was the "best possible" start to the year but emphasises they must "reserve judgement" on the performance of other teams.
Max Verstappen started the race on pole position with teammate Sergio Perez behind him in second, which is exactly how they finished the race.
During a post-race interview with Sky Sports, Horner explained:
"It's been an incredible weekend. The drivers were fantastic today, pit crew did their job, we were able to make the software work for us. The degradation for our car seems less than the others and that then gives you options.
"Checo losing out at the start, he had a bit of work to do with Charles but again, strategy played well there and he got the past done, and then it was about managing the race to the end.
Horner continued:
"All the circuits are different, but it's a great start for us. To come out the blocks, unlike last year, we were sitting here with zero points. We came here, determined to try and address that this year and we've done it in the best possible way.
"That wasn't the freshest set of tyres that we started the race with. We had a better set to go so we thought you know what, let's go again on the soft.
"When you've got pace in the car, and degradation under control. You've got options and that's exactly what we had today.
"It can change very quickly. I mean look at last year, how things turn around. Mercedes came from a long way back then they had a winning car at the end of the year.
"So Ferrari were unlucky with Charles today but it's a different circuit in Jedda. I think we need to wait to see it sample at two or three races. We've only been on one track.
"And so let's reserve judgement until a few more races in the championship."