Sat on a white leather settee, fielding questions from the media, Christian Horner was in mischievous mood ahead of the first Grand Prix of the Formula 1 season.
"It's great to see the fine being applied so well," smiled the Red Bull team principal. "We've got a new couch and Tom [Clarkson, the press conference moderator] has got a new suit... it's great to see the funding into the FIA being spent so effectively."
Horner's sarcasm was referring to the £6m fine paid by his team for a breach of the 2021 F1 cost cap. The financial punishment was accompanied by a wind-tunnel sanction, reducing their time in that key testing department by 10 percent.
Clearly, it still rankles with Horner but he can afford to laugh it off because, even before a wheel has turned in a 2023 race, Red Bull and champion Max Verstappen are already considered to be – as Mercedes driver George Russell said on Thursday – in a league of their own.
"The team have done an incredible job to turn up in such a competitive manner," said Horner, again referring to the wind tunnel punishment. In terms of what we've managed to achieve, it is probably the best pre-season we have had. I can't remember a better one.
"It was one of those rare occasions when engineers came up with a list of things they wanted to test and try and we managed to tick most of the boxes. We've got a good basis but it is only during this weekend when we will see what our starting point is."
Horner is always keen to stress the importance of teamwork, highlighting the bonds that have been forged since the team – with Horner as its principal – was formed in 2005. But he also knows that in double world champion Verstappen, he has a true ace in the pack – a great in the making.
Ahead of Sunday's race, Sergio Perez threatened not to help Verstappen if the Dutchman, who twice ignored orders to let his team-mate through in last year's Brazilian Grand Prix, did not help him.
"Obviously, if I see that I don't receive support when I need it, I won't give it either," said Perez in Bahrain. But it is clear the Mexican is a number two driver and when asked what Perez had to change in order to alter that situation, Horner simply said: "His lap time."
But Horner did elaborate, adding: "It's tough for him having Max Verstappen as your team-mate. Max is a hell of a competitor and he is the highest benchmark in Formula 1. He is setting the barometer."
Horner did try to play down paddock suggestions that Red Bull will run away with both the constructors and drivers championships and even highlighted the threat from 41-year-old Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin.
"Their car looks great," said Horner. "And I don't know what Fernando is taking but he is looking great on it. They could be a real surprise. A dark horse. It's going to be a really exciting year and there is some great racing ahead of us."
But no matter how many dark horses emerge, Horner knows the rest of the grid has Max and the Red Bull to catch.
