Abu Dhabi: Red Bull Racing's team boss Christian Horner said the Formula One title, which both his drivers are vying for, will not be decided before the final lap.
With Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, Red Bull duo Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton all in the running for this year's Drivers Championship, the Red Bull boss said Sunday's Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix offered a "fascinating prospect."
Addressing a press conference here after the two practice sessions at the Yas Marina Circuit on Friday, Horner said: "It is going to be an exciting race looking at the four of them. They are right there… in the two sessions and I expect tomorrow to be tight and Sunday to be a great race."
"I don't think this championship will be decided until the last lap obviously. It is a fascinating prospect," he added.
Commenting on Red Bull Racing winning the Constructors championship, Horner said: "The Constructors championship for most teams, at least internally, is the championship that they need the most. It is a tremendous result for Red Bull. Six years ago when we started people scoffed at us."
Ultimate goal
"We have achieved the ultimate goal, which is the Constructors' championship. To compete against teams like McLarens and Ferraris, who have so much heritage, to take them on and emerge on top [is quite an achievement].
"We have two drivers in contention with Mark being closer than Sebastien. It is fantastic to have both our drivers fight for the title. It is testimony to the way they have performed and delivered in the previous 18 races," he added. "Whatever the result we achieve here, it will be the icing on the cake and we will be celebrating next week in Austria and the United Kingdom," Horner said.
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said the best approach from a driver's point of view was to stay calm and focused. With Alonso leading the race, Domenicali said: "A lot of factors will come into play… you need to be lucky, you need to be reliable, you must have your head on your shoulders up to the last moment. If you react emotionally in the wrong moment, in the wrong way, when things are not going well, it is not good."
Commenting on the partnership Ferrari has with Abu Dhabi he said: "We have other businesses going with the Government of Abu Dhabi and this is something which is unique and spectacular and concerns our heritage. What Abu Dhabi is trying to promote in the region is something remarkable."
