Christian Horner aims cheeky dig at Abu Dhabi circuit changes with Mercedes claim

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Red Bull boss Christian Horner has teased Sky Sports pundit and former F1 driver Karun Chandok for his part in planned changes to the Yas Marina circuit this weekend, joking that it’ll now favour Mercedes as the season draws to an end. 

After some complaints the circuit in Abu Dhabi was not conducive to setting up a thrilling season finale, track bosses decided earlier this year to make some big changes, including removing five corners.

As well as that, there is a revised hairpin on to the back straight, changes at the hotel complex, and a new banked Turn 9. The alterations were overseen by track design consultant MRK1, while Chandok helped test out the planned changes in the simulator.

But Horner felt like some of the changes could favour their main title rival on Sunday, with Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton neck-and-neck on points heading into the final race of the season.

“Apparently you’ve taken out every corner Mercedes didn’t like!” Horner joked from the pit wall to Chandock, who was on duty for Sky Sports in the commentary box.

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“Sector two might be a Mercedes sector, sector three a Red Bull, and Sector one maybe neutral.”

Chandok assured the team boss the decisions were made long before anyone knew who would be ahead come the season finale, dismissing any suggestion of favoritism.

Speaking ahead of the weekend, he said: “Having done hundreds of laps around the modified Yas Marina, I’m confident that the drivers will find it a more flowing and enjoyable track to drive,” he said.

“Modifying an existing circuit is never easy – it’s a bit like renovating a house rather than building from ground up, as there are some key bits you can’t change. In Yas’ case, the position of the pit complex, the Marina and the Hotel is obviously fixed.”

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Verstappen ended the first session in Abu Dhabi fastest, as Hamilton had his fastest lap deleted due to track limits.

Horner added: “It’s been an epic year, nine months of intense competition and we’re tied coming into the final race. Who’d have thought that coming into the year?

“I spoke to the guys yesterday and told them how proud I am of how we’ve pushed. We’ve given it everything, so let’s see how we go.

“It’s been a tough competition, but that’s what we work so hard for. We never expected to be anywhere near as competitive, to have won Monaco, Zandvoort, Mexico.”

The season finale is free to air on Channel 4 on Sunday alongside the usual home of Sky Sports F1, with the normal coverage on BBC 5 Live at 1pm GMT in the UK where either Hamilton or Verstappen will be crowned champion.

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