F1

Christian Horner drives a Red Bull for the first time

Red Bull has unveiled images of the moment when team principal Christian Horner drove one of their F1 cars for the first time.

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Christian Horner drives a Red Bull for the first time.
© Red Bull / Christian Horner drives a Red Bull for the first time.

Christian Horner took the wheel of the RB8, the car that allowed Sebastian Vettel to win the world drivers' title in 2012, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. He also drove the RB7 from 2011 during the weekend.

A first for the Briton

Although he has been at the helm of Red Bull Racing since its inception in 2005, Christian Horner had never driven one of the team's cars. His last experience in F1 was in 1993, when he drove a Lotus on the Hethel circuit.

Wednesday, Red Bull released behind-the-scenes footage showing the head of Red Bull during a pre-Goodwood shakedown at Silverstone, as well as during the event itself. This run was part of Red Bull's 20th anniversary celebrations, but Christian Horner replaced Sebastian Vettel, who was initially scheduled to drive.

« It was fun. This is the first time I've driven a Red Bull car and certainly the first time with a manual clutch and two pedals », he told reporters at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

« Sebastian Vettel was supposed to drive one of the cars here, but he is on vacation with his family and couldn't come to Goodwood, so the guys offered me to drive it, » explained Christian Horner. « I hadn't driven a single-seater since 1998 and a Formula 1 car since 1993. »

« So, yesterday, I seized the opportunity to drive a car with a manual clutch and a left foot brake. It was a tremendous honor and privilege to drive one of these incredible cars, a world champion car. »

« It's astounding to see how fast these cars are and how much aerodynamics play a role. What struck me the most is that by releasing the accelerator, it's as if someone dropped an anchor overboard. »

« It's like intense braking in a road car. And then, when you press on the brakes, you struggle to stop your chin from sinking into your chest. I enjoyed it so much that I missed the pit entrance and managed to do an extra lap », he concluded.

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