Christian Horner reveals why Mercedes are the favorites in Portimao and Catalunya


Christian Horner reveals why Mercedes are the favorites in Portimao and Catalunya

Christian Horner

Like the pervious season, Mercedes and Red Bull are the pace setters this season and are battling for the top spot in the podium. Although this year, Red Bull seem to be a lot closer if not better to Mercedes.

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The Round 3 and 4 of the F1 World Championships will be held for the next two weeks in Portugal and Spain. For these races, according to the nature of the circuit, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner believes that Mercedes have an edge over other teams.

In the 2020 season, Lewis Hamilton bought the Black Mercedes home in the first place at both Portimao and Catalunya. And Horner believes that the scenes could repeat in 2021 too.

‘If we can put Mercedes under pressure at these circuits, that will bode well for the rest of the year’: Christian Horner

Max Verstappen and Christian Horner

In an interview recently, Christian Horner explains that why he thinks Mercedes will will have a slight edge in Portimao this week.

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They are both excellent circuits, but circuits which, according to data from last year, should work in favor of the Mercedes.”

“Portimao was a good addition to the calendar last year, the surface will hopefully have aged a bit as the recently resurfaced circuit was very slippery. Barcelona are the benchmark that we all have a lot of data from, so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. 

“I am excited for both races and you can be sure that we are full of energy and motivation. If we can put Mercedes under pressure at these circuits, that will bode well for the rest of the year. I’ve always said it would take four races to get a clear picture of the pecking order, so now is the litmus test,” Horner said.

The cars will be back on track this weekend at Portimao. The Portugese Grand Prix will see Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen fighting it out for the World Championship lead.

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Also read: “I think Valtteri Bottas’ performance is linked to a mental issue,” says Felipe Massa