Horner: Ferrari facing 'brutal' barrier to perform

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner believes rival Ferrarifaces "brutal" pressure to perform when the new F1 season getsunderway. The Scuderia began the sport's current regulation set asthe team to beat in 2022 but quickly lost ground to Red Bull andalthough Carlos Sainz was the only driver other than Max Verstappenand Sergio Perez to secure a race win last term, Ferrari was unableto finish even second in the Constructors' standings. Ferrari hasfailed to win any championship since taking the Constructors' in2008, whilst Kimi Raikkonen was the last Drivers' World Championfor the team in 2007. On how the team could factor in the battlefor this year's honours, Horner told Sky Sports : "Ferrari is adifferent type of team, a national team. "There is a pressure whichcomes with that and the Italian media is absolutely brutal andscrutinises every move. There is just huge expectation. "Fred[Vasseur, Team Principal] is a capable guy and a racer and Ferrariis a big animal in F1. "Expectation will be very high for them nextyear." 'Winning not about one person' McLaren overcame a poor startto the season to finish last term as one of Red Bull's nearestchallengers, eventually finishing fourth in the Constructors'standings following a late surge. Former Red Bull Cheif DesignerRob Marshal has begun his new role with McLaren and whilst Hornerthinks McLaren will be a threat, he downplayed the impact oneperson could make. "I think McLaren had a great second half of theyear," explained Horner. "There were times when they were ourclosest competitor. They have strengthened their team and Rob willbe an asset, but it's not just about one person. There are seven oreight hundred people in an F1 team and it needs the whole team tocome together. "With Lando (Norris) and Oscar (Piastri) - who wasreally impressive as a debutant - they could well be a factor nextyear."