Return to the track 'a significant moment' for Horner

Christian Horner has praised his Red Bull team for the work put into getting ready for next week's Formula 1 season opener, saying he was 'delighted' with the staff response to the difficult lockdown period.

Alexander Albon drove the team's 2020 challenger, the RB16, at Silverstone on Thursday, lapping for the first time since pre-season testing in Barcelona came to a close in February.

"Seeing the car on track at Silverstone was a significant moment for me," Horner said in his Red Bull column.

"It really brought home the amount of hard work that has gone on since shutdown ended and emphasised our team spirit and the strength of the people and partners we have at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing."

"During the lockdown, we all faced new challenges yet I was delighted with the response from the team, including the incredible commitment to Project Pitlane."

"When we did get back to work in the factory, we asked even more of our staff."

"We have a strong workforce with many long-standing and experienced members, plus many young talents who we look towards for the future."

Team principal Horner also recognised the efforts of the team's technical partners, explaining the team may not have been able to move forward through lockdown without such relationships.

"We are also very fortunate to have longstanding and great partners," Horner added.

"They too have all been incredibly supportive throughout this difficult period. Without them, the wheels just don't turn. We have many technology partners whose work behind the scenes is not always publicly visible, apart from the logos on our cars but who are truly the backbone of our team.

"The support some partners have given us in order to work remotely during this pandemic has kept us moving in the right direction and now as we return to the track, all of the infrastructure they provide us with will be tested to the limit."

Before you go...

One positive test will wipe out a team for a grand prix weekend - Abiteboul

Budget cap allows Red Bull to have 'two equal teams' - Brown

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