Horner: 'F1 owners won't allow total dominance to continue'

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Red Bull Racing's Christian Horner thinks that a sustained dominance of F1 by Mercedes would be bad for the sport, while also believing its new owners won't allow it to happen.

Since the era of the V6 turbo hybrid power unit was ushered in three years ago, Mercedes has imposed its hegemony in Formula 1, running in a class of its own while its rivals desperately attempt to play catch-up.

Speaking to The Guardian, Horner says the sport is now in desperate need of change and competitive racing.

"It’s unpalatable to think of it for another three years," Horner insisted.

"The new owners of F1 know very much about putting on a great show and there being good and healthy competition.

"That can’t be artificially done obviously but I would be surprised if they were prepared to allow total dominance like the last three years."

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While Red Bull is no stranger to utter dominance, having won both the drivers' and Constructors' title consistently with Sebastian Vettel between 2010 and 2013, its authority was regularly contested.

F1's current conundrum is finding a way of weakening Mercedes without resorting to artificial schemes or tricks. But Horner believes that team - and Red Bull in particular - just need to work harder.

"Mercedes dominating again would be bad for the sport. But how you prevent it from happening I don’t know.

"It would be wrong to artificially slow someone down. We have just got to work hard to put them under pressure."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.