© Getty ImagesChristian's Column: Top Of The LeagueWith five wins in a row and three homes races in a row, we hear from Christian Horner ahead of the British Grand Prix.
TheEurosmighthavetakentopbillingoverthepastcoupleofweeksbuttherehasbeenplentytocelebrateattheRedBullRacingHondaHQinMiltonKeynesoverthelastmonth.
Christian's Set For The Session© Getty Images
It is incredible to think the Team have now won five races in a row, but it is also hugely satisfying because it is the culmination of teamwork. I am particularly proud that we were able to win both home races in Austria on Red Bull’s home turf as this is something every team seeks to achieve.
The way the Team has come together here in the UK and Japan to create this car is phenomenal.
Everyone have been through so much over the past year or so with the pandemic and the way the Team has come together here in the UK and Japan to create this car is phenomenal and testament to our fighting spirit and resilience.
The results we are seeing on track is a combination of teamwork that draws on all areas of the business, so while it is great to see Max and Checo on the podium, I also have immense pride in the whole Team.
Max And Checo At The Red Bull Ring© Getty Images
Since winning our last world title in 2013, the goal has always been to regain the championship and with that comes an element of pressure, as it would within any high performance sports team.
Also, if you are a competitive person, you do put pressure on yourself; you want to win. It is the pressure that comes naturally.
We are all very much focused on our job and how we are approaching this year's championship and beyond. But we are all very much focused on our job and how we are approaching this year's championship and beyond, and we are managing that.
Of course, there is media noise and speculation about titles, but that's all it is. We communicate as a Team and debrief as a Team, and the drivers are focussed on themselves and our Team, not others.
Running From The Red Bull Shower© Getty Images
We are only focussing on what we can control and not what our opponents are doing. There is a great deal of Team spirit and it's been hard work, but the results show it’s paying off. We know how to lead championships and how hard it is to be the chaser, so we are well prepared for every eventuality in this title fight.
This year has been a juggling act with how much time and resource you commit to this year's car and how much you devote to 2022. It is far from a simple take, but I am confident we have the necessary resources to give both the attention they deserve.
Adrian and the Team are well into next year’s car. He has been sketching his designs on the drawing board, like he always has done, and is balancing the focus on 2021 and 2022.
Adrian Shows Sergio His Drawing Board© Getty Images
Like the entire Team, Adrian has greatly enjoyed the relationship with Honda over the last few years and working with the technical team. Now we are in a situation where we have a car with a competitive power unit, I think it would be fair to say that he has a renewed motivation.
I think it’s a credit to the frontline and NHS workers in the UK that events like this, albeit a trial, can happen. Silverstone is a fantastic track and the fact it is in the UK is a benefit for all our Team members and we are particularly excited to see a full crowd back at the track. I think it’s a credit to the frontline and NHS workers in the UK that events like this, albeit a trial, can happen at all and we look forward to seeing some of those workers on the grid with us this Sunday.
Mercedes have been incredibly dominant at Silverstone and if we can get close to them and challenge them for the win, that will be tremendously encouraging, especially with the upgrades they are due to bring.
Nailing Those First Laps© Vladimir Rys
Of course, it will be a different type of weekend too. It is the first of the Sprint Race events, so it puts a lot more pressure on Friday. The engineers and drivers have one session to set-up the car and then you are straight into qualifying. You also have to balance the risk versus reward in the Sprint Race as the last thing you want is a DNF or damage for Sunday.
It is going to be fascinating. Am I a fan of it? I'll let you know after the weekend, but I think you have to give it a go and although Sunday is still the main event, I think for those crowds it will bring a lot of excitement having a race on Saturday as well.
