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Red Bull chief Christian Horner believes Mercedes are plotting a major revival after falling way behind their Formula One rivals. Max Verstappen can win the Drivers\u2019 Championship for a third consecutive year on Saturday with very little challenge to his dominance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Verstappen will breeze to another world title this year, and it will likely be confirmed at the Qatar Grand Prix this weekend. The Dutchman just needs to finish sixth in Saturday\u2019s sprint race to retain his crown.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was previously Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton who dominated the sport. The Briton won six of his seven world titles between 2014 and 2020 but has struggled in recent years, failing to halt Verstappen\u2019s success due to Mercedes\u2019 problems.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But Horner insists that his opposite number, Toto Wolff, will have a plan in mind to return to F1\u2019s summit. The 49-year-old says the healthy rivalry for the World Championship is key to the sport\u2019s appeal.\u00a0<\/p>\n
READ MORE: <\/strong> Mercedes and Red Bull a huge step closer to having brand new rival for F1 titles[F1] <\/strong><\/p>\n “For me sport is about rivalry. It’s great to have rivalry. There has to be a respect, but sport isn’t sport without rivalry,” he told Sky Sports.<\/p>\n “Obviously we haven’t seen much of him the last couple of years but I’m sure he’s plotting. I’m sure he’s got something that they’re working on.<\/p>\n “They’re a great team. They are a big team. They have got great drivers. They’ll be looking to fight back.”<\/p>\n Horner also admitted it \u2018hurt\u2019 when the roles were reversed, with Red Bull struggling to topple Mercedes during Hamilton\u2019s era of domination. \u201cIt hurts when you’re losing and if it doesn’t hurt then you shouldn’t be doing it.<\/p>\n Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive F1 news<\/strong><\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n DON’T MISS… <\/strong> “We had a long period, six to seven seasons, of hurt, of being the bridesmaid. But we never lost sight of where we wanted to be. We were the team to break that [Mercedes] domination, and everything goes in cycles.<\/p>\n “At some point somebody will beat us. Now, whether it’s Mercedes, or Ferrari, or McLaren, or Aston Martin, or whoever, we don’t know. But all we can control is what we’re doing. So that’s what we’re focused on, is ourselves.”<\/p>\n Mercedes have endured a tough season. Hamilton is third in the driver standings behind Verstappen and Sergio Perez. His Silver Arrows team-mate, George Russell, is eighth after an underwhelming 2023.\u00a0<\/p>\n Get every single Sky Sports channel with Sky Stream, Netflix and Sky TV for \u00a346 a month.<\/p>\n You can enjoy all the best Sky has to offer without needing a satellite connection.<\/p>\n Sky Sports also offers all live events from the Premier League and the F1 and more.<\/p>\n If you’re already with Sky, you can get the full Sky Sports experience for \u00a322 a month.<\/p>\n You get all the channels you’ll ever need for \u00a318 a month in time for all the top matches to take place in 2023.<\/p>\n If you need a brand new TV and want to watch the best sporting events around on it, Sky is offering a deal where you get Sky Glass, Sky Sports, Sky TV and Netflix for just \u00a334 a month.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/73\/590x\/secondary\/4990144.jpg?r=1696271180783\")
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Lewis Hamilton tipped to lose race to become F1’s first ‘billion-dollar’ driver[HAMILTON] <\/strong>
Russell wouldn’t work at Mercedes if ‘endless Hamilton requests’ were accepted[QUOTES] <\/strong>
Lando Norris picks sides after Max Verstappen and Toto Wolff back-and-forth[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/73\/590x\/secondary\/4990160.jpg?r=1696271181024\")
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