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Christian Horner labels Chinese GP sprint weekend as a ‘challenge’ for Red Bull

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Aditya Pandya | Last updated 4/12/24

Red Bull has continued its dominant run from its historic 2023 campaign this season. The Austrian team has already bagged three victories with Max Verstappen in the first four races. Milton Keynes will likely dominate the majority of the remaining season. However, Red Bull’s RB20 might face some challenges at the upcoming sprint weekend of the Chinese GP as confessed by team boss Christian Horner .

The Chinese GP is brought back after a gap of five years, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the country’s lockdown policies. Hence, the new ground-effect F1 cars will race for the first time at the Chinese circuit. Christian Horner claimed that the circuit was ‘good’. However, the team boss also pointed out how the first corner went on forever. As a result, the front left tire faces higher degradation as compared to the other tires.

It's a good circuit, The first corner goes on forever, and with the high-speed corners onto the back street as well, it's always been very punishing on the front left tire. Christian Horner said, as reported by racingnews365.com.

Apart from this, Horner also highlighted how the Chinese GP was the first sprint weekend of the 2024 season. Hence, the entire Chinese weekend would be a ‘challenge’ for Red Bull. With all teams getting just a single practice session in the entire weekend. Additionally, the 50-year-old pointed towards the points available for grabs for the team. As a result, the Shanghai race would be exciting for the fans as well as the team to race around.

It's got a sprint race as well, first sprint race of the year – so that's another challenge. A lot of points available, so it’ll be interesting to see how that goes. Christian Horner noted.

Christian Horner expects Ferrari to be the ‘closest competition’ at the Chinese GP

Red Bull’s rampant performance has been closely followed by Ferrari in second. Maranello has hugely minimized errors during the past four races of the 2024 campaign. The Italian constructor could have a real shot at the world championship against Milton Keynes this year. Hence, Christian Horner expects Ferrari to provide a great competition for the top step of the podium at the Chinese circuit.

Christian Horner recalled Maranello’s performance at the Australian GP where Red Bull failed to score a victory. Moreover, Horner acknowledged that Ferrari had competitive pace at the Japanese GP as well. Hence, the Briton expects Ferrari to provide a ‘close competition’ to the highly dominant Red Bulls at the Chinese GP.

Yeah, I think that Ferrari definitely at that circuit [Albert Park] were competitive, and we saw on Friday that their race pace was competitive – and we expect them to probably be our closest competitor there [in China]. Christian Horner mentioned.

Red Bull’s fight with Ferrari for the top spot will provide some great racing action at the forefront. Additionally, McLaren’s improving pace has made way for great action for the top three teams. Hence, the pecking order for the Chinese GP could provide a few surprises. The new format of the sprint weekend would raise the excitement through the roof for fans.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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