Horner gives five-word response to signing ‘the next Verstappen’

F1 season preview as Max Verstappen looks to defend world title

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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner quickly shut down a question on signing a replacement for Max Verstappen. The Dutchman has proven himself to be virtually irreplaceable by scooping up two consecutive Drivers’ Championships, with a third firmly in his sights for the season ahead.

In Verstappen, Red Bull knew they had a prodigy from the get-go as he became the youngest-ever driver to compete in an F1 race back in 2015 – doing so not long past his 17th birthday. 

He has since had to wait for a winning car, but he pounced when the opportunity came along in 2021 by pipping Lewis Hamilton in a dramatic title battle. He established his dominance last year by blowing away the rest of the field, finishing almost 150 points clear. 

Still, the 25-year-old refuses to spill the beans regarding whether he could stay at Red Bull beyond his current contract, which expires in 2028. 

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When Horner was asked by the i newspaper whether he was already looking out for another Verstappen in anticipation for his future exit, he kept things short and snappy by responding: “There is not another Max.” The team boss continued by citing the immense pressure Verstappen was under during the run-in with Hamilton two seasons ago, which resulted in a dramatic finale.

“If you look back at 2021 at the pressure he had at certain points he drove some incredible races,” he explained. “In Zandvoort, his home nation had turned it into a flipping nightclub for the weekend. The noise on the grid, the expectation, the royal family was there.

“I remember watching him getting ready for the race, just a 24-year-old lad, he had this amazing ability to detach himself from what was going on around him and just be in the moment. He drove an incredible race, won it, but there was no crowd surfing at the end of it. It was just on to the next one.”

Questions of favouritism have sprung up in the Red Bull camp over the past few days, following Sergio Perez’s victory in last weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Mexican has made no secret of the fact that he wants to fight for the title this year, although Horner has challenged him to match Verstappen’s level of consistency.

“Checo was on the ropes careerwise [when we signed him],” he added. “We did a deal that gave him a second wind and he has now won four grands prix and numerous podiums. He is driving better and better and finding his confidence.

“The biggest challenge for Checo is sustaining that over 23 events because that is where Max has become so strong over the last few years with the relentless consistency that he has.”

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