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Horner slams 'negative' Russia and Azerbaijan questions

Christian Horner hit back at reporters during Friday's press conference at the Hungarian Grand Prix, accusing them of "focusing on the negatives" of the sport rather than celebrating its positives.

Decisions to go to Russia and Azerbaijan - for races this year and in 2016 respectively - were questioned by journalists during the session. Russia is currently the focus of international attention due to its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, while Azerbaijan's human rights record was also referenced by journalists in the session.

The Red Bull boss said the media ought to focus on the positives in the sport rather than picking holes in its plans for the future.

"This is becoming a very depressing press conference as we're only focusing on the negativities," Horner said. "Look, there's a calendar that comes out in October or November. We all have a choice whether we enter the World Championship or not. All the people sitting here are racers and they're here because they're passionate about the sport and they want to compete. When we sign up for that championship, we put our faith and trust in the promoter and the FIA and we will attend those races unless they deem it unnecessary for us to be there.

"All of you will be at those races, or the vast majority of you will be at those races and why? Because you're either passionate about the sport or because you earn a living out of covering the sport and I think it's wrong to make Formula One a political statement or subject when we are a sport."

Horner thinks the media should spend more time focusing on the quality of the on-track battles we have seen this season.

"We should be talking about the drivers in these conferences, we should be talking about the spectacular racing that happened between our drivers and his [Marco Mattiacci's] driver at the last Grand Prix. We should be talking about what a great race it was for Lewis Hamilton to come through the grid, yet all we do is focus on the negatives and it has to be said, it gets pretty boring for us to sit up here and field these questions."

"So how about asking some questions about what's going to happen in the race on Sunday, what's going to happen in qualifying tomorrow, because if you've got these questions, please point them at Mr Todt or Mr Ecclestone rather than the teams."

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