Christian Horner issues Red Bull defence over 'keyboard warriors' onslaught

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has asserted his squad pays no attention to the “keyboard warriors” who direct messages towards it.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit has long been a consistent presence towards the front of the grid, winning six constructors' championships and six drivers' titles in its 20-year history.

It has enjoyed its fair share of rivalries in the past, with its most recent being against McLaren, who currently lead both championship standings.

Horner has issued a series of jibes at McLaren CEO Zak Brown across the last couple years, while Brown has cracked comments of his own.

Horner asserted he will always rush to the defence of his employees.

“There have always been rivalries in sports,” Horner told PlanetF1. “I’m passionate about this team.

“I will always defend anybody who is wearing a Red Bull shirt. That’s your job as a team leader.

“Not everybody can agree with you and your opinions all the time.”

Modern-day F1 rivalries have inevitably spilt over into social media, with fans having a platform to send direct messages and comments to teams and drivers.

However, Horner stated Red Bull focuses little attention on the words issued towards it online.

“But, to be honest, in the world of digital media, so much more is made out of things,” Horner added. 

“There are a lot more keyboard warriors than there used to be when I first came into the sport.

“Honestly, we don’t pay any attention to it whatsoever. We just focus on our job, going racing and doing the best we can.

“Formula 1 is a complicated business, and there are so many aspects to it and to the sport.

“What you see trackside is only 20 per cent of the role, and I think you’ve got to get a good group of people around you. You’ve got to stick to your beliefs, you’ve got to work as a team and stay focused.

“The one thing that unites everybody within the business is the car and the performance of that car and, across all the different departments, how they work in tandem with each other is what dictates the end product.

“So, of course, there’s a political element dealing with the regulators, dealing with the commercial rights holder. There’s always been and always will be.”