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

Hamilton revealed earlier this year that his 14-year relationship with McLaren was to draw to a close at the end of 2🀅012, 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 sꦿcore 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 R🥀ed Bull in th🔯e 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 that. Lewi൲s is an outstanding driver and in Lewis and Jenson they had a hugely strong driver line-up.

"Whichever team had ta🍸ken Lewis, he would be an asset. I'm surওe he will naturally add performance to Mercedes next year."

However, Horner added that only🎀 a fool would write off McLaren in the title race given the꧙ success the team has enjoyed in the past.

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