Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has revealed an unexpected side of Max Verstappen. According to Horner, criticism of his aggressive driving style affected the Dutchman more than he publicly let on. Horner says that Verstappen is more sensitive than one might think.
Criticism of Aggressive Driving Style
Although Verstappen often seemed invincible, his season was not without controversy. His driving style came under fire especially during intense duels with Lando Norris. An incident between the two drivers in Austria resulted in Norris retiring from the race and a time penalty for Verstappen. Later, there were further questions about his actions in Austin and Mexico. Although Verstappen seemed to dismiss the criticism in the media, Horner says the driver reacted differently in private.
“Max is an aggressive driver, that’s part of his style,” Horner defends his driver. “But the same goes for legends like Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Lewis Hamilton. They were also criticized during their careers. Yet, Max has never denied his own approach.”
Challenging Second Half of the Season
After a dominant start to the season, Red Bull faced a difficult second half. The RB20 lost its lead over McLaren, and Max Verstappen had to dig deep to keep Norris at bay. A streak of ten races without victories put both the team and the Dutchman under immense pressure. According to Horner, Verstappen played a crucial role behind the scenes in improving the car. “He has spent more time with the engineers and on the simulator this year than in previous years,” the team boss shares. “His involvement and commitment were phenomenal. It was a tough period, but he showed why he is the best.”
The hard work behind the scenes and the criticism he had to deal with make Verstappen’s fourth title even more special. This also explains why his emotions were visible after the decisive race in Las Vegas. “It means a lot to him. Max is not someone who enjoys fame or attention. He just wants to drive hard and win.” Horner emphasizes that Verstappen has solidified his place among the greats of the sport. “He is head and shoulders the best driver at the moment. What he has shown this year definitively places him among the legends of Formula 1,” says Horner.
