Ferrari used home advantage at Monza to close the gap to Red Bull in second place in the constructors championship to just 11 points following the Italian Grand Prix, but Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was relieved to have minimised the Ferrari fightback this weekend.
“We conceded some points to Ferrari, we knew that coming into the weekend,” he said after the race. “We’ve limited the damage [and now there’s] some good tracks coming up for us hopefully.
“Don’t know about get them all back, but the important thing is we’re leaving Europe ahead of Ferrari on points and it’s going to be close with them over the next few events.”
“Both drivers did a great job I think,” Horner added. “To have got fifth and sixth was going to be the optimum but after the anti-stall at the start for Max it was a great recovery from both of them.”
Horner was particularly delighted by the pass that Daniel Ricciardo made on Williams Valtteri Bottas through turn one during the race, which is sure to feature in the 2016 season highlights compilation..
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“[Daniel] came from such a long way back, and it needed cooperation from Valtteri to get through there. He’s pretty pleased with himself and so he should be.”
Horner also hailed Max Verstappen’s dive down the inside of Sergio Perez’ Force India into the second chicane on lap 49.
“Within a lap, Max – just not to be outdone – put a move on Sergio as well,” he pointed out.
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