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Christian Horner is confident that Red Bull struck the right balance in 2021 between its crews' focus on its winning campaign and the development of the team's all-new 2022 car.
Last year, the overwhelming majority of F1's outfits - including Mercedes - channeled their resources early on towards their 2022 development programs, managed according to the sport's all-important new technical regulations and to F1's budget cap.
Mercedes introduced its final upgrades for its W12 contender over the summer while Ferrari which finished third in the Constructors' standings switch its focus to its 2022 car almost at the outset.
However, Red Bull pressed on longer than its rivals on the development front in a bid to carry itself and star driver Max Verstappen to the world title.
But Horner believes his team's prolonged focus on its RB16B will not have compromised the development of its 2022 bull, although the RBR team boss admitted that only time will tell.
"When Ferrari turn up with the fastest car and smash us out of the park at the first race then you’ll have to say that it probably did [compromise us]," Horner said, quoted by Motorsport.com.
"But I think that we’ve all known that big regulation changes are coming for 2022 and we’ve applied our resource accordingly.
"I’m sure each team has done what they feel is right and it’s put pressure on the organisation, of course."
Horner praised his troops for battling on a dual front in 2022, calling his team's commitment throughout the year has been "phenomenal".
"But that’s where I think the team have been outstanding, because to keep a development rate on a new set of regulations and keep a focus on this year’s car has taken a monumental effort.
"The commitment shown by all of the team, throughout the team, has been phenomenal.
"But we will only see when we come back in a couple of months’ time, with completely new cars.
"They look different, they’re going to feel different, they’re going to drive differently - and who’s got it right, who’s got it wrong? It all starts again."
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