Christian Horner Praises Max Verstappen’s Exceptional Formula 1 Performance
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, praises Max Verstappen’s exceptional performance in recent Formula 1 races, particularly his latest victory at the Spanish Grand Prix on June 23, 2024. Verstappen’s resurgence has been pivotal in Red Bull’s growing points lead in the Formula 1 standings.
Although Verstappen narrowly missed pole position at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, he made a remarkable start to overtake Lando Norris’ McLaren and secure second place. Verstappen’s bold maneuver around George Russell’s outside at Turn 1 on the third lap showcased his exceptional driving skills. The Dutchman then established a seven-second gap, which eventually expanded to nine seconds as McLaren extended their stints.
“I think today there were a few decisive moments,” Horner said. “Obviously, we lost the pole by two-hundredths yesterday, we knew it’d be very tight with Lando.”
Horner attributed Verstappen’s win to his well-executed pit stops, tyre management, and ability to build a comfortable gap in the first stint. Red Bull’s strategic decisions, such as opting for an optimum race strategy in terms of stop laps, also contributed to their success.
Verstappen acknowledged that being pipped to pole position highlighted the need for Red Bull to extract more speed from their car. Horner concurred, stating that the team has identified areas for improvement. However, he emphasized Verstappen’s crucial role in their growing championship lead.
“He’s always been fantastic under pressure, last year was a unicorn year and now it’s more normal year,” Horner added. “It’s not normal to win all the races all the time, and we’re having to fight very very hard for them, and Max is making a key difference.”
As the Formula 1 calendar unfolds, Red Bull’s focus on enhancing their speed and performance will be key to maintaining their lead in the Formula 1 standings. With Verstappen at the helm, the team is confident of staying competitive in the face of fierce competition.
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