All in the best interests of the sport, Christian Horner claims the continued Mercedes domination of F1 would be "unpalatable" and believes the sport's new owners should act.

As editor Balfe suggests in the latest Pitpass podcast, while team bosses (and presidents) claim that the sport must be more competitive and put on more of a show - for the fans, don't you know - fact is, Christian Horner, like Maurizio Arrivabene, Claire Williams, Bob Fernley, Gene Haas, Franz Tost and all the rest would like nothing more than to enjoy Mercedes-like domination for a year or two. Regularly filling the front row of the grid and then going on to finish 1-2 in every race a lap ahead of the opposition.

So while the likes of Horner bemoan Mercedes domination of F1 in recent years, they are deeply envious of it.

Indeed, when in 2010 his cars won 15 of the 19 races, we do not remember Horner expressing concern for the sport, nor in 2011 (18 of 19), 2012 (7 of 20) or 2013 (11 of 19).

Nonetheless, the Briton is extremely concerned, not only for the fans but also the sport's new owners, fearing that continued domination by the Silver Arrows will compromise its investment.

"It's unpalatable to think of it for another three years," he tells The Guardian. "The new owners of F1 know very much about putting on a great show and there being good and healthy competition.

"That can't be artificially done obviously," he continues, "but I would be surprised if they were prepared to allow total dominance like the last three years."

While pre-season testing suggests Ferrari might pose a threat to the German team, many believe Mercedes remains the benchmark and few would bet against the Silver Arrows taking a fourth successive title.

Quite how the Stuttgart steamroller might be derailed, Horner doesn't but admits that doing it artificially, for example with penalties or a handicap, "would be bad for the sport".

"How you prevent it from happening I don't know," he admits. "It would be wrong to artificially slow someone down. We have just got to work hard to put them under pressure."

Maybe ordering Mercedes to use Renault - sorry, Tag Heuer - engines and allowing Red Bull use of the German team's power units would be a start.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Usedtobe, 20/03/2017 21:40

"At a first glance it's perhaps the most ludicrous remark since the spinklers idea prompted by RBR dominance, but at that time o lot was done to curtail it. They won with double diffuser, next year was not allowed, exhaust blowing the same, so what is asking is not absurd but doesn't prevent Mercedes to keep doing a better job."

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2. Posted by Barslug, 20/03/2017 20:03

"Horner has made too many "cry wolf" claims to be taken seriously. Personally, I Enjoyed F1 even when RedBull was untouchable.Horner reminds me of a child throwing a temper tantrum. RedBull has some great talent in that team! From the drivers, mechanics, and designers, the team is top notch. Quit having a fit and get on with racing at the level we all know you are capable of!!"

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3. Posted by yakker, 20/03/2017 17:53

"Red Bull gives you whinge"

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4. Posted by Ro, 20/03/2017 12:00

"If thats the case, the domination of Red Bull is what started it all ! Now Mr Horner is chucking his toys out of the pram....Get a grip mate, just build a better car. Put yourself in McLaren's shoes....they wiould love either a Renault or Merc, would they be faster than you too?"

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5. Posted by Editor, 20/03/2017 8:11

"@ Spindoctor

The very idea of Mr Horner being replaced is one thing…

The thought of him stuck at home with ‘Geraldine’ as the former Ginger Spice is now known, quite another.

Forced to watch her old videos and hear about “life on the road” all while watching her reeling off another fifty intimate family snaps of her adorable brood for social media and the Daily Fail."

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6. Posted by Editor, 20/03/2017 8:06

"@ phantom

A definite contender for post of the year."

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7. Posted by Spindoctor, 20/03/2017 7:19

"Thoroughly disappointing nonsense from Horner whose bleating is becoming more irritating with each iteration.

Mercedes has dominated (and may continue to do so) because in a competitive arena they have been the best. In case Mr Horner has forgotten, that's how "Sport" works. By his logic he should be removed from the job he has "dominated" for years, and replaced by someone less competent."

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8. Posted by phantom, 20/03/2017 6:20

"I know how Horner feels. For years I lamented the fact the beautiful girls preferred the richer, better-looking, smoother-talking guys to me, the skinny, abrasive but romantic lout. I thought it would have been much fairer if there had been some rule to give us equal consideration. Or perhaps force the 'preferred' to lower their own attitudes and abilities to allow me to compete. Sigh."

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9. Posted by jcr, 20/03/2017 2:23

"This from the team who threathened to pull out because they lost their dominant position ??"

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10. Posted by Canuck, 20/03/2017 2:01

"Was it better when RB dominated the sport? for RB and Horner it certainly was. But for the audience-- Think about it, was it?"

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Horner: Mercedes domination bad for F1

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