Christian Horner says Red Bull's 2022 Formula 1 Constructors' Championship success was a tribute to late owner Dietrich Mateschitz. Mateschitz died aged 78 on Saturday during the United States Grand Prix weekend, ahead of a major opportunity for the team to claim their first Constructors' title since 2013. The team knew a race win would make sure of the title - and it was duly secured through Max Verstappen, who took a record-equalling 13th victory of the season, albeit after a pitstop bungle. A slow stop dropped the #1 down to third behind Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc with 20 laps to go, but Verstappen scythed back through to win by five seconds. Speaking post-race, Horner paid tribute to Mateschitz, who launched the racing operation of the Red Bull brand when he bought Jaguar in time for the 2005 season.
Horner pays tribute to Mateschitz
"This means everything to us. It's been such a journey," Horner explained to Sky Sports F1 moments after Red Bull claimed the title. "Dietrich was a very private man, but he was passionate about life. He was passionate about sports. He was especially passionate about Formula 1. "He had a dream, which was to have a Formula 1 team, and he did that in the end. "He gave us all an opportunity, he believed in us, and he backed us. This is for him. "We are just tremendously grateful for everything that he has done. For us as individuals, we are going to celebrate in his honour tonight.
Drivers "heroes" for Mateschitz
Horner also recalled Mateschitz's love for the drivers, and his feelings on Verstappen wrapping up the Drivers' title in Japan two weeks ago. "I'm just so happy he got to see Max retain the Drivers' [Championship] in Japan," he said. "The Constructors' that has been the big one [for us] because in eight years, we were out of it for a few of them. "But we've never lost hope, and we never stopped fighting and believing in ourselves. "To be able to come back and do this is testament to every man and woman in the team and the company. "[Dietrich] was just a fan, a huge fan of Formula 1, he loved the drivers and had a real soft spot for them. They were the heroes, the superstars and he gave so many young drivers a chance. "He just gave them love and support on the difficult days - he was always the kind of guy to want to support the underdog. "He had such a big personality. It was infectious, that big smile. He'd walk into a room and everybody just adored it."
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