P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull Formula 1 boss Christian Horner hit back at comments made against him by Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff by saying he’d “rather be a terrier than a wolf.”
The verbal jousting between Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ George Russell escalated over a one-place grid penalty at the Qatar Grand Prix, with Russell labeling Verstappen a ‘bully’ and Verstappen calling Russell a “backstabber,” stirring up one of the fiercest dramas of the 2024 F1 season. Amidst the exchange, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner was likened to a “yapping little terrier” by Wolff, to which Horner humorously responded, saying he loves terriers for their loyalty and fearlessness when facing bigger challenges. Horner, unfazed by Wolff calling him “weak” for not standing up to Verstappen, emphasized Red Bull’s successful track record and management style. In the ongoing conflict between Verstappen and Russell, Horner firmly sided with his driver, praising Max for his honesty and highlighting support from other stewards in the room. Overall, the intense verbal sparring reflects the competitive nature of F1 and the strong personalities leading their respective teams.