An emotional Christian Horner dedicated Red Bull's 2022 F1 Constructors' title to Dietrich Mateschitz "for everything that he has done".
Max Verstappen's win in Sunday's US Grand Prix in Austin sealed the fifth Constructors' title in the history of Red Bull, and its first since 2013.
It's been a banner year for the Milton Keynes-based outfit and its star driver, but Mateschitz's passing on Saturday after a long period of illness understandably hit the team and all its members hard.
On Sunday morning, Verstappen vowed to win at the Circuit of the Americas to clinch the Constructors' championship and honour Mateschitz memory.
Although it was anything but clear sailing for the Dutchman in Austin, Verstappen accomplished his mission.
We did it! 😁🏆 #USGP pic.twitter.com/epCQHulaOd
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) October 23, 2022
"This means everything to us. It's been such a journey," Horner told Sky Sports F1 right after the race.
"Dietrich was a very private man, but he was passionate about life. He was passionate about sports. He was especially passionate about Formula 1.
"He had a dream, which was to have a Formula 1 team. And he did that in the end.
"He have us all an opportunity, he believed in us and he backed us. This is for him.
"We are just tremendously grateful for everything that he has done. For us as individuals, we are going to celebrate in his honour tonight."
Horner admitted that in retrospect he was happy that Mateschitz survived long enough to witness Verstappen's second crowning in Japan.
"I'm just so happy he got to see Max retain the Drivers' in Japan," he said.
"The Constructors' that has been the big one [for us] because in eight years, we were out of it for a few of them.
"But we've never lost hope, and we never stopped fighting and believing in ourselves.
"To be able to come back and do this is testament to every man and woman in the team and the company."
©RedBull
Asked what fueled Mateschitz's passion for racing, Horner said: "He was just a fan, a huge fan of Formula 1.
"He loved the drivers and had a real soft spot for them - they were the heroes, the superstars and he gave so many young drivers a chance.
"He just gave them love and support on the difficult days - he was always the kind of guy to want to support the underdog.
"He had such a big personality - it was infectious that big smile. He'd walk into a room - and everybody just adored it."
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