Horner: Red Bull intra-team rivalry a 'luxury problem', but equality key

The intra-team battle for the title at Red Bull between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez could be a source of extreme tension moving forward, but Christian Horner still views the rivalry as a "luxury problem".

Just five races into the 2023 F1 season, Red Bull's grip on the championship is already as firm as steel thanks to the unwavering superiority of its RB19 contender over its rivals.

With three wins so far this year, Verstappen currently leads the title fight by 14 points over Perez who captured wins Jeddah and in Baku.

And given Red Bull's hegemony, all signs point to a season-long shootout between the two drivers.

But with each passing race, the delicate balance between fostering healthy competition and preventing detrimental conflicts within the team risks becoming a constant tightrope act for Horner.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, a man who knows all about the arduous task of navigating a rivalry and juggling egos, reckons that Horner has "a tricky job" on his hands.

"I can tell you from my past, it’s a super tricky job for Christian and the team," Wolff said, referring to the tumultuous rivalry at Mercedes between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

"Because both drivers will obviously try to always feel that they’re fairly and equally treated, whilst at the same time, trying to have an advantage.

• Read also: Horner explains why 'things could change quickly' for Red Bull

"And I think in our team, it was important to maintain a lot of transparency and clarity, discuss things before we actually go racing on a Sunday. Put boundaries.

"And, at the end, both drivers, even with Nico and Lewis, respected the team’s opinion, whilst we acknowledge that they have a fight between the two of them.

"So going back in time, there’s things I probably would have done differently in 2016, particularly, but the balance right between accepting these two guys are racing for a championship, and it’s within the same garage.

"And at the same time, they are part of a larger structure. I think that is not always easy, because they are very competitive animals."

Maintaining a harmonious atmosphere while ensuring fair treatment and equal opportunities for both drivers can be an intricate challenge.

But Horner reckons this will be key to steering the team through its internal battle.

"We just do everything Toto says but just a bit better!" Horner reacted, tongue-in-cheek. "No, look, I think that it’s a luxury problem, first of all.

"I think any team principal in the pit lane would hope to have that issue. And it’s something we’ve experienced before.

"And I think the most key thing is, as Toto was mentioning, is to ensure that paranoia doesn’t creep in and that both drivers are treated equally.

"You go to pains to provide equality, to the point of who drives out the garage first each weekend, you know, it alternates. It even alternates in the debrief who talks first.

"But you know, it’s racing in Formula 1, and occasionally something will happen like a Safety Car or a pit stop and you can’t control every aspect within the sport. There are still variables.

"And I think so long as the drivers know that they’re both getting an equal chance and it’s ultimately down to what they do on the circuit, that’s where you want it to play out, not through reliability, for example, to play a key role in a championship fight between your two drivers within your own team."

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