“Sometimes Words Betray you” – Christian Horner

A mere 5 laps into the Hungarian Grand Prix, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen ground to a halt. To say that the Dutchman was furious would be an understatement. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was equally angry. The Briton blasted engine supplier Renault and blamed them for the retirement.

Verstappen promptly launched into an expletive-laden reaction over the radio. Horner was a little more mellow but it was clear that he too was fuming.

“Sometimes words betray you,” he said. “Cruel luck for Max, it’s an engine issue. I suppose no surprise really.”

Horner later said that Renault F1 managing director Cyril Abiteboul would “come up with the excuses afterwards”. It is no secret that Red Bull are splitting with Renault at the end of the season. They will be partnering Honda for the 2019 F1 season.

The former champions won all 4 of their constructors titles with Renault between 2010 and 2013. However, since the advent of the V6 turbo era, the relationship has soured.

The Austrian marquee had hoped for a good result in Hungary before the summer break. Sadly, the weather dampened their spirits in qualifying. Verstappen could only manage seventh and Australian Daniel Ricciardo languished in 12th.

Last weekend, Ricciardo took grid penalties in Germany and started at the rear of the field.  Later, it transpired that the Australian was unable to take all the new components. This was because Renault made only three of the six items available. The normal strategy would have been to change everything.

“Engine failure can happen at any time, even with a new engine, unfortunately, it can happen, as happened in the past,” Abiteboul said.

Red Bull will now be using the summer break to recharge and come back in Belgium guns blazing. Ricciardo will also need to utilise this break to refocus for the second half.