Red Bull’s Christian Horner believes Formula 1’s recent decrease in profits is about taking one step back before taking two steps forward as the sport invests in its future.

Formula 1 announced its quarterly results last week which registered a decrease in profits of 13 percent compared to the same period last year.

Profits year-to-date fell from $316 million to $276 million for the first nine months of 2017

The downturn will obviously directly impact the teams’ bottom line, but Horner insists Red Bull is not worried by the numbers.

“It’s circumstances. Obviously they’re building an infrastructure, they’re investing in the business, it’s just a different model to what it used to be,” said the Red Bull racing boss.

“It used to be a small structure with Bernie and a couple of aides. Now, they’ve put a marketing team together, they’ve put a proper business structure behind it – which is of course going to incur cost.

“But if you don’t speculate and invest in the business, you’re not going to accumulate. And the world is moving on quickly, and it’s important that Formula 1 put that structure in place.

  • Worried’ Lauda questions F1’s future under Liberty Media

Horner also labeled Niki Lauda’s recent criticism of Liberty Media and its current lack of initiatives as ‘unfair and unfounded’.

The Mercedes non-executive chairman expressed his worries about Liberty’s vision and its lack of action and ideas for generating growth.

Horner disagrees however insisting Formula 1 is simply conducting a thorough analysis of its state of affairs and has actually come a long way in its first nine months at the helm.

“I think Niki’s comments were… a little unfounded, unfair,” said Horner, when asked by Motorsport.com about whether he agreed with Lauda’s concerns.

“For once, Formula 1, it’s recruited some specialists in Ross Brawn and the team he’s put together. And it’s doing proper analysis.

“Too many times there’s been decisions made from the hip. And perhaps it’s not going fast enough for Niki’s liking, but I think the approach they are taking is the right approach.

“I think it’s unfair to be giving them a hard time, when they’re only nine months in and actually haven’t presented their complete plan yet.

“It’s inevitable that they’re going to take time to understand the business, do the analysis, and then present what the future of Formula 1 is going to look like.”

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