Horner: Credit where credit's due Renault enabled us to win

On Saturday after qualifying, Daniel Ricciardo headed an all blue front row for the first time since 2013 as the energy drinks outfit set the pace all weekend at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Speaking in the aftermath of the race in Mexico, Horner acknowledged, "Credit where credit's due. Renault provided us with an engine this weekend in these conditions that was competitive with our opponents.

"That's enabled us to go head-to-head, lock out the front row of the grid and win the grand prix in a dominant fashion. Theoretically, we should have had a one-two here.

"The altitude of this circuit does constrain some of our rivals and it puts Renault into a window where they are competitive. Which is why we put an awful lot of focus into this race in taking the penalties to get another B-Spec into the pool, to have for this weekend."

Although Verstappen was untouchable in the race, he was pipped by a mere 0.026 of a second by his teammate Ricciardo in qualifying, much to the latter's delight and the Dutchman's annoyance.

"You could see that he was pretty upset about it," explained Horner. "It wasn't the best second run in Q3 and it was an outstanding lap from Daniel. I think it played on Max's mind."

"From the moment he turned up [on race day] you could see there was only going to be one guy coming through Turns 1/2/3 in the lead. As soon as he emerged from the first three corners with the lead, the rest of it he controlled brilliantly."

In the end, it was a bittersweet Sunday for Red Bull as Verstappen bagged the winner's trophy for his efforts, but his teammate endured a ninth DNF when his clutch packed up on the #3 car.

"It looks like a clutch issue that looking at the data probably started around lap six. It looks similar to the issue Max had on Friday. They need to quarantine it all and get it back to the UK to understand, but that's what is looking like the culprit," added Horner.

Red Bull and Renault enjoyed a dominant partnership that netted them eight tiles between 2010 and 2013, but since the advent of F1's turbo hybrid era they have enjoyed occasional victories but have never reached the giddy heights of their Sebastian Vettel era.

Since the relationship has deteriorated beyond repair as matters hit rock bottom, only FIA intervention obligated Renault to supply the team, albeit reluctantly.

Inevitably they finally agreed to a divorce which will come into effect when the lights go out a Yas Marina Circuit after this season's finale. Red Bull embarking on what will be their Honda-era.