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 tha🐟t his 14-year relationship with McLaren was 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 podium finishes for Sauber, although the youngster also🏅 suffered his fair share of issues on track and failed to score following the announce🌃ment 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, and Horner ꧙admitted 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 Lew🐎is and Jenson they had a hugely ♕strong driver line-up.

"W🌼hichever♐ team had taken Lewis, he would be an asset. I'm sure he will naturally add performance to Mercedes next year."

However, Horner added that only a fool wo🍎uld write off McLaren in the title race given the success the team has enjoy🃏ed in the past.

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