Horner laughs off Hamilton's comments

Speaking to The Guardian earlier this week, Hamilton said that Red Bull Racing would not continue to dominate the sport because it did not have the heritage or resources of outfits like Ferrari and Ferrari.

"Red Bull are not a manufacturer, they are a drinks company. It's a drinks company versus McLaren/Ferrari history," he said.

Horner has said he is unmoved by Hamilton's stance - and thinks that, if that was the case, then Red Bull Racing should have extra credit for beating bigger teams.

"I don't know in what context he said that, but for just a drinks company we've beaten an engineering company with the resources that McLaren has had for the last couple of years," said Horner. "So, I am not sure what context he said it. We are much more than just a drinks company.

"Ultimately it is down to what you do on the track. We have won 15 grands prix in the last two years, and two world championships, a constructors' and a drivers', and that has been the strongest performance in the pitlane. We are looking to build on that this year.

"Red Bull Racing is part of Red Bull and Red Bull obviously has a world presence as an energy drink. We are very important to the business and the success that Red Bull has achieved is pretty unique in a very, very short space of time."