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Christian Horner laughs off Toto Wolff 'terrier' jibe

Horner dismisses Wolff's 'terrier' jibe ahead of Abu Dhabi GP, focusing on Red Bull's strategy.Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

ABU DHABI -- Christian Horner, the Red Bull team principal, jovially dismissed Toto Wolff's comparison of him to a "yapping little terrier". The rivalry between the two bosses heated up after Wolff defended his Mercedes driver, George Russell, from Horner's criticism following the Qatar Grand Prix.

Horner, undisturbed by Wolff’s remarks, quipped about his preference for "terriers" over "wolves", suggesting that being feisty like a small dog isn’t necessarily a bad trait. Amidst the banter, Horner highlighted that Wolff's attention might be better directed towards celebrating Lewis Hamilton's final race with Mercedes, rather than dwelling on Russell's ongoing tussle with Max Verstappen.

The quarrel between Russell and Verstappen, involving accusations of threatening behavior on the track, has charged the atmosphere heading into the season’s final showdown. Despite the tense build-up, Horner remains confident that the conflict won't affect the race itself, backing Verstappen’s straightforward approach to racing and communication.

The longstanding rivalry between Horner and Wolff adds another layer to their teams' competition, captured vividly in the 'Drive to Survive' series. Despite Wolff's sharp words, Horner plays down the notion of renewed personal animosity, suggesting that their spats are just part of the sport's drama.

This back-and-forth between the team principals unfolds as the Formula 1 community gears up for a final race that promises high emotions, especially with Hamilton's impending departure from Mercedes, adding to the spectacle and intrigue of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend.

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