Horner doubts Merc reign will end in 2016

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says the odds of anyone beating Mercedes next season are not very good.

Mercedes were without a doubt the team to beat this season as they raced to victory in both Championship battles.

Between Lewis Hamilton, who won the title in Austin with three races to spare, and Nico Rosberg, they amassed a 16 races victories including a record 12 1-2 finishes.

It was impressive showing from the Brackley squad and one that Horner fears will continue through into 2016.

"I think the regulations are extremely stable for next year and obviously Mercedes will inevitably carry on the dominance, such is their margin," he told ESPNF1.

"They will find gains over the winter, but they will undoubtedly be nearest the top of the curve and will get lesser returns than potentially others.

"It is an enormous gap for any of the teams to fill.

"I am not sure what the bookies would offer for a repeat performance next year. I don't think the odds are too good [that someone will beat Mercedes]."

The team boss, whose Red Bull outfit managed just three podiums this season, believes Mercedes dominance is hurting the sport.

And although his own outfit won the Championship double four years in a row, Horner is adamant Red Bull never had the supremacy Mercedes have.

"I think predictable and serial results and serial winning is difficult for any sport. We were accused of it, but we never enjoyed the continuation of success or longevity of success.

"Two of our World Championships went to the last race and we never ever finished first and second in a World Championship. I think inevitably with that kind of predictability people get turned off and it needs a re-jig to bring it closer together.

"I don't think anyone wants to see Fernando Alonso just taking part. We want to see him competing. We want to see Daniel Ricciardo competing. We want to see Sebastian Vettel competing against Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

"The teams will never achieve that because there is far too much self-interest and you can't expect the teams to achieve that. That is for the regulator and the governing body to come up with better rules that achieve those objectives."