“Living rent free in Horner’s head”- Fans berate Red Bull’s Christian Horner for downplaying Lewis Hamilton’s P2 finish at the Mexican GP

The red flag allowed Lewis Hamilton to switch to Medium tyres and hunt down the Ferraris ahead of him.

“Living rent free in Horner’s head”- Fans berate Red Bull’s Christian Horner for downplaying Lewis Hamilton’s P2 finish at the Mexican GP

Christian Horner and Lewis Hamilton (Via IMAGO)

Christian Horner, the Red Bull Racing team principal, minimized Lewis Hamilton‘s second-place finish at the Mexican GP, attributing it to a stroke of good fortune. Horner suggested that the red flag incident during the race was a pivotal factor that favored Mercedes and Hamilton’s race strategy.

The race saw Max Verstappen, the crowned champion, secure a remarkable 16th Grand Prix win for the season, while his teammate, Sergio Perez, had a disappointing retirement early in the race. Hamilton finished second, and pole-sitter Charles Leclerc settled for third, capitalizing on an unexpected red flag. 

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Speaking about this, Horner stated, “They had a bit of a stroke of luck because they went in very early for a one-stop strategy.” He expressed his belief that without this fortuitous event, the outcome might have been different, with Hamilton potentially falling behind the Ferraris. Hamilton’s one-stop strategy hinged on the timely red flag, which allowed him to change to medium tires at an opportune moment.

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The red flag incident, caused by Kevin Magnussen’s crash into the barriers, led to lengthy repairs and allowed all drivers to change tires. Horner maintained that this stroke of luck for Mercedes played a pivotal role in Hamilton’s podium finish. However, he acknowledged the team’s consistent performance in tire management throughout the season. 

Fans point to Max Verstappen’s first title, deeming it a significant stroke of luck

Horner’s comments spread rapidly throughout the Formula 1 community, sparking a strong reaction from fans. Many derisively taunted the Red Bull leader, suggesting that “Lewis lives rent-free in his mind.” Hamilton supporters quickly reminded everyone of Max Verstappen’s first championship win, which thwarted Hamilton’s pursuit of an eighth title. They argued that Red Bull had been the fortunate beneficiaries of a stroke of luck.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen on the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP podium
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen on the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP podium (Credits: IMAGO)

Surprisingly, a different faction of fans celebrated Horner’s remarks. Since the outset of 2022, Mercedes has struggled to match Verstappen and Red Bull, but lately, all the teams, including Mercedes, have been closing the gap. These fans believed Horner’s criticism of Lewis indicated a growing concern about Mercedes’ resurgence and heralded a positive shift in F1, claiming that “F1 is finally healing.”

Horner’s comments about Hamilton’s luck in Mexico have stirred controversy among fans, sparking debates and divided opinions on the role of chance. Horner’s comments divided fans, highlighting the age-old rivalry between Red Bull and Mercedes.

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