Horner: It's very easy to forget that F1 is a team sport

Like most of the paddock, Horner felt for the #77 Mercedes driver, "From what I understand Bottas wasn't particularly happy, but you would have thought they would've discussed the scenarios before the race. It shouldn't have been a surprise. I'm surprised it would have been a surprise to anybody."

"It's very easy to forget that F1 is a team sport. The drivers ultimately drive for the team. What was I suppose slightly confusing about that is that it wasn't all pre-discussed and agreed going into the event."

Horner suggests that he would have done the same, except he questioned the manner in which Mercedes handled the situation, "In that situation, it only takes a couple of DNFs, and you are fighting for a world championship."

"It's a constant battle between a drivers' championship and the self-interest of the drivers and the collective interest of the team. So you can understand the rationale behind it. It just sounds like the execution wasn't pre-discussed."