Christian Horner says McLaren is now a weaker team after the lo🤡ss of Lewis Hamilton to Mercedes for the 2013 F1 season.

Hamilton revealed earlier this year that his 14-year relationship with McLaren was tꦛo ♕draw to a close at the end of 2012, with the Briton inking a deal to partner Nico Rosberg in the Mercedes line-up from next season onwards.

McLaren will replace Hamilton with Sergio Perez after the Me🎉xican impressed this season with three podium finishes for Sauber, although the youngster also suffered his fair share of issues on track and failed to score following the announcement of his move.

Recent seasons have seen McLaren - with a partnership of Hamilton and Jenson Button - as one of the main chal꧟lengers to Red Bull in the title❀ race, and Horner admitted that losing the 2008 champion would be a blow for the Woking-based outfit.

"I think McLaren is a weaker team without Lewis," he was quoted by the Press Association. "I think McLaren would admit tha🎉t. Lewis is an outstanding driver and in Lewis and Jenson thꦅey had a hugely strong driver line-up.

"Whichever 📖team had taken Lewis, he would be an asset. I'm sure he will naturally add performance tꦺo Mercedes next year."

However, Horner added that only a fool would write off McLaren in the title race given the success the team has enjo🍷yed ✨in the past.

"McLaren have had a gඣreat car this year," he s🌄aid, "and who's to say they won't have an even better one next year?"