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

Hamilton revealed earlier this year that his 14-year relationship with McLar🅺en w🌄as to 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 Mexican impressed this season with three po🍷dium finishes for Sauber, although the youngster also suffered his fair share of issues on track and failed to scꦚore following the announcement of his move.

Recent seasons have seen 🥀McLaren - with a partnership of Hamilton and Jenson Button - as one of the main challengers to Red Bull in the title race, an🅷d 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 that. Lewis is an outstanding driver and in Lewis and Jens๊on they had a hugely strong driver l꧟ine-up.

"Whichever team had taken 🍌Lewis, he would be an asset. I'm su🐲re he will naturally add performance to Mercedes next year."

However, Horner added that only a fool would w♓rite off McLaren in the title race given the success the team has enjoyed in the past.

"McLaren have had a great c🀅ar this year," he sai🥃d, "and who's to say they won't have an even better one next year?"