The Red Bull Team Principal agreed that more preference is often given to drivers who are bringing in the results on track.
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner hinted at “privileges” offered to Max Verstappen within the team due to his success in Formula 1.
Verstappen enjoyed a dominant run of victories in 2023 having taken 19 victories out of 22 races, taking his third title in the process.
He outclassed his teammate Sergio Perez who only managed two victories in the RB19, leading to rumours over whether the team would replace him in the near future.
Horner discussed the their spat on track during the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix, in which Verstappen refused to let Perez past to preserve a potential 1-2 in the Drivers’ Championship.
In hindsight, Horner believes the tension should have been cleared beforehand instead of assuming that Verstappen would follow the team order.
Horner: There’s no room for a prima donna
Discussing whether some drivers can get away with things compared to others, Horner agreed that “certain privileges” are offered to those who bring in the results on track and drew comparison to Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.
“It’s inevitable in any sport I would have thought. Max came to us as a teenager, he’s now a world champion,” he told the Secrets of Success podcast.
“I think the same with Lewis Hamilton, he’s now the most successful driver of all time and he will have more sway within his team than his teammate, because his value to the team is significantly greater.
“I think that it’s a matter of keeping that in check. Of course, there will be certain privileges that are allowed to your centre forward, your star player.
“But he’s still part of a team, there’s no room for a prima donna, because at that point it becomes bigger than the team. So he can’t achieve what he wants to, without having the team behind him, and without having the tools to provide the equipment.
“That’s where it’s a matter of achieving that, that balance, being respectful of the status that they’ve achieved, but also still recognising you’re part of a team and you need all the other elements to deliver your part.”
