“Chuck the form book away” for F1 title run-in - Horner

After claiming his eighth victory of the season last time out in the United States Grand Prix, Max Verstappen has opened up a 12-point lead over main rival Lewis Hamilton in the drivers’ standings. 

Mercedes holds the advantage in the constructors’ championship but Red Bull reduced the gap to 23 points thanks to a double podium with a 1-3 finish in Austin. 

There are five races to go, starting with two higher-altitude venues in Mexico and Brazil where Red Bull have been tipped to hold the edge over Mercedes.  

But Red Bull team principal Horner has warned his side can take nothing for granted due to the close nature of this year’s title battle. 

"I think you've got to chuck the form book away,” Horner said.

“It's very tight between the two teams. Mexico has been a good track for us, but it's been a good track for them as well, on occasion. So we don't underestimate them.

“There are five races to go and there are still another 130 points on the table and we have only got a 12-point lead.

“It’s great to have extended it, because with 10 laps to go it looked like we might be leaving equal or two behind, so to have extended the lead is a great result and we have got some big races coming up.”

And Horner insists Red Bull must keep attacking each grand prix weekend despite Verstappen’s points advantage over Hamilton. 

“You've got to attack,” he said. “12 points is nothing and it can disappear very, very quickly, as we've seen previously.

“So we've got to keep attacking race weekends and get the most out of them that we possibly can. With five to go, the pressure only gets bigger."