Christian Horner takes subtle dig at Lewis Hamilton ‘moaning’ after Max Verstappen triumph

Max Verstappen prevails in world title shoot-out

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Max Verstappen’s dubious win in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday has sparked much debate over the circumstances of the victory. Yet one thing the Dutchman is not lacking in is sportsmanship – something Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes Lewis Hamilton doesn’t possess.

Hamilton led for 57 of 58 laps in Abu Dhabi as he looked to add yet another title to his collection.

Glory in the Middle East would have seen him take home a record eighth title.

Yet Verstappen’s fortuitous triumph broke the mould, and a subdued Hamilton took second place.

Horner praised his man for being able to get on with the race and hang in right until the wire before he was presented a chance late on.

And the Brit has spoken about how good his mentality is – subtly taking a dig at Hamilton for ‘moaning’.

“Naturally, we’re going to roll the dice and go for it,” Horner says.

“Max just refused to give up. You didn’t hear him moaning on the radio. Every lap, he drove his heart out, then suddenly a chance presented itself.

“When you look at his pass at Turn Five, I don’t think Lewis was expecting him to go through there. He didn’t even defend.

“He was waiting for him more into Turn Six, but Max took him by surprise. Classic Verstappen.

“Even entering that weekend, I felt Max deserved it for how he had driven, how he had applied himself, how he had kept fighting under the most intense pressure and scrutiny.

“Even when he didn’t have, in the second half of the year, the best car.

“Max has driven with such determination and spirit.

“He just wasn’t going to roll over and let this go. It’s a life lesson: that if you keep striving for something, anything is achievable.”

Hamilton and Verstappen will face off again in the season opener in Bahrain on March 20.

And with new rules and regulations to add to the cause, it will be interesting to see just where the duo finish.

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