Horner respects Norris over Albon Suzuka Formula 1 clash reaction
Red Bull Formula 1 team boss Christian Horner respects McLaren driver Lando Norris for being pleased Alex Albon escaped punishment for 'forcing him off' in the Japanese Grand Prix
Albon dropped behind both McLarens after a poor start and re-passed Norris with an aggressive move into the final chicane that made Norris go off-track to avoid a collision but still resulted in minor wheel-to-wheel contact.
Norris said after the race that Albon, who he has graduated from Formula 2 with this year, "kind of forced me off" but said it was hard racing and that he held no grudges.
"I thought it was firm but fair," Horner told Autosport.
"They touched front wheels but it was totally up the inside.
"It was good, hard racing. It was good to see the stewards make the right decision."
When Autosport told Horner that Norris shared that view, having said he was pleased Albon was not penalised, Horner said: "Did he feel the same? I think respect to him.
"Whenever there's contact it's inevitable there will be an aggrieved party.
"I think that was good, fair, hard racing and I think that's what F1's about."
Albon went on to pass the other McLaren of Carlos Sainz Jr through superior pace and strategy to finish fourth, his best result in F1.
It gave Red Bull and Honda a silver lining from a difficult weekend at the engine manufacturer's home grand prix.
Asked if Albon's best result in F1 was a positive from the weekend, Horner said: "Yeah, absolutely, and I think Honda's best [at Suzuka] since they've come back into Formula 1 with the hybrid era.
"They're the positives today. Even after a bad start, he drove very well and made it work."
Albon was Red Bull's sole finisher in the Japanese GP after Max Verstappen was taken off at the first corner by Charles Leclerc having just passed the Ferrari for third.
Verstappen eventually retired while Albon's own recovery meant Red Bull was never a factor in the race.
"Alex was in no-man's land by the time he got into P4 and I think we've seen Ferrari and Mercedes particularly in the race have been strong," said Horner.
"We've still got plenty of work to do but we know where we need to work and we've got some positive stuff in the pipeline.
"There are quite a few positives to take out of the weekend."
What Ferrari has to do to match Mercedes' dominance
Formula 1 has agreement in principle for Miami Grand Prix
The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season
The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season
Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge
Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge
Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1
Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1 Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1
Vowles: Williams encourages Albon to speak his mind on F1 radio
Vowles: Williams encourages Albon to speak his mind on F1 radio Vowles: Williams encourages Albon to speak his mind on F1 radio
Albon explains angry F1 radio messages during Miami GP
Albon explains angry F1 radio messages during Miami GP Albon explains angry F1 radio messages during Miami GP
Why Albon won't be "throwing around laptops" to gain a 2023 F1 edge
Why Albon won't be "throwing around laptops" to gain a 2023 F1 edge Why Albon won't be "throwing around laptops" to gain a 2023 F1 edge
Rossi: Indy 500 rivals were “getting away with crazy restarts”
Rossi: Indy 500 rivals were “getting away with crazy restarts” Rossi: Indy 500 rivals were “getting away with crazy restarts”
Why Indy 500 'fix' finish accusations are wide of the mark
Why Indy 500 'fix' finish accusations are wide of the mark Why Indy 500 'fix' finish accusations are wide of the mark
Newgarden happy that Indy 500 red flag led to a “good finish”
Newgarden happy that Indy 500 red flag led to a “good finish” Newgarden happy that Indy 500 red flag led to a “good finish”
2023 F1 Spanish GP – How to watch, session timings and more
2023 F1 Spanish GP – How to watch, session timings and more 2023 F1 Spanish GP – How to watch, session timings and more
Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory
Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari? Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience
Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience
Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?
Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks? Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?
The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery
The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.