Horner highlights 'lucky' element in McLaren F1 title fight

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has stated his team is “lucky” McLaren wasn't a consistent front-runner in the early stage of the current F1 season.

The Woking-based squad has posed an increased threat to Red Bull across the last several events and now sit just 30 points behind in the constructors' championship, aided in part by Lando Norris victory at Zandvoort on Sunday.

The opening rounds of the season saw Red Bull comfortably lead the field and build a margin to the teams behind.

Horner highlighted the early season deficit has proved crucial for Red Bull to keep a hold of its championship-leading position.

“We're lucky that they underperformed in the early part of the year,” Horner told media including RacingNews365.

“We've got a 70-point buffer [in the drivers' standings], but that can diminish pretty quickly. It's remarkable that that's only Lando's second win in that car.

“He's driving well, he's finding confidence. The pressure is on us to respond. 

“We're used to being in championship fights over the years and we'll dig deep. We're going to fight with everything we've got over the remaining nine races.”

McLaren now the 'benchmark' in F1

Norris' route to victory saw him repass championship leader Max Verstappen on lap 18 after losing the lead off the line.

After he moved ahead of Verstappen, Norris cruised out in front and built a 22-second gap to Verstappen by the chequered flag.

Horner asserted Red Bull is not resting on its laurels as it scrambles to keep a hold of the championship lead.

“I think that McLaren made a step a little while ago, and their car here, particularly with Lando, was very impressive,” Horner added. “We need to address our deficit.

“The McLaren has been the benchmark car over the last few races and we're very acutely aware that we need to respond to that.

“Everybody in Milton Keynes is working incredibly hard to address that.”