Red Bull has clearly been th leader of the pack over the past two seasons, but while fans expect Mercedes and Ferrari to potentially offer them the biggest competition, Christian Horner believes it will come from McLaren.
Horner has sighted McLaren’s gradual progress over the second-half of the previous season as being a leading contributor to this and now, they have acquired technical director Rob Marshall from the world champions.
Marshall was on gardening leave since May, having played a pivotal role with Red Bull for over 17 years.
He was formally inducted into the McLaren camp on New Year’s Day.
“I think McLaren had a great second half of the year,” Horner told Sky Sports.
“There were times when they were our closest competitor. They have strengthened their team and Rob [Marshall] will be an asset, but it’s not just about one person.
“There are seven or eight hundred people in an F1 team and it needs the whole team to come together.
“With Lando [Norris] and Oscar [Piastri] – who was really impressive as a debutant – they could well be a factor next year.”