Red Bull boss Christian Horner snubs Sebastian Vettel despite four world title partnership

Hamilton v Verstappen: Their careers in numbers

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Red Bull boss Christian Horner has snubbed Sebastian Vettel when asked about the team’s greatest ever F1 driver. Between 2010 and 2013, the duo won four consecutive Drivers’ Championships in what was undoubtedly the greatest period in the Constructor’s young history. 

Vettel achieved 38 of his 53 Grand Prix victories while with Red Bull Racing, a stint which started in 2009 and finished in 2014.

During that time, he claimed four consecutive world titles, a feat only matched by three other drivers. 

And it goes without saying that no other competitor has come close to such an achievement in Red Bull’s history. 

Nevertheless, Horner did not mince his words when asked about the Constructor’s greatest ever driver. 

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“I have no doubt he [Max Verstappen] is the best we have seen on one of our cars, in terms of outright raw ability and commitment,” he told The Times.

“He’s the best driver we’ve seen. Sebastian was also incredibly good, but we gave him a better car.

“The stand-out moments for me come when you turn up somewhere like Jeddah. Nobody has seen the circuit before.

“Max goes out and is 2½ seconds clear of anybody else. It takes half an hour for anyone to get close to his time.

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“He’s got a fundamental, natural ability which means he’s driving with less effort at the limit than other drivers.

“Lewis has that. Max has that. Sebastian, when he was winning those world championships, had that.”

Vettel moved on to Ferrari back in 2015, and although he managed to finish second in the championship on two separate occasions, the peak of his F1 career remains at Red Bull. 

Since the beginning of this season, the German has raced for Aston Martin where he achieved a single podium in Azerbaijan.  

Although Verstappen can boast no world titles against Vettel’s four, the backdrop of Mercedes dominance during the 24-year-old’s young career has undoubtedly crept into Horner’s consideration. 

This season, the Dutchman is embroiled in a fierce battle with Lewis Hamilton in an attempt to win his first world championship. 

After a controversial weekend of racing in Saudi Arabia last time out, the duo are level on points heading into the final contest in Abu Dhabi. 

Horner has been full of admiration for Verstappen’s performances this year, even when others have been critical of his racing tactics, so getting the title over the line would go a long way towards vindicating the Red Bull boss’ comments. 

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