Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has lavished praise on “out of this world” three-time world champion Max Verstappen, telling his remaining 19 rivals that the Dutch driver is still I warned you it could be better.
Verstappen, who has led the championship standings since the opening race in Bahrain, finished second in the Qatar Sprint, which was enough to clinch his third consecutive drivers’ title.
Tremaine: Verstappen is proud to be with great players who are three-time champions
talk to sky sports During Saturday’s celebrations, an emotional Horner praised the “phenomenal” Verstappen, saying he now ranks alongside some of the “great names” in F1 history.
“The most dominant ever [season Red Bull have had]So, it’s not surprising, but seeing Max join some of the great names I talked about earlier. [Jack] brabham [Ayrton] Senna, [Niki] Lauda, Sir Jackie Stewart. He’s in that bracket right now,” Horner said.
“His running this year has been just out of this world. He needs to take some time to reflect, but… [you] You have to be in the present moment. Everything he’s done this year has been phenomenal.
2023 Qatar GP Sprint: Max Verstappen crosses the finish line to claim his third world championship
“The whole team is energized and working really well together, not just here, but across all 22 departments that make up our team, including all the unsung heroes back at the factory. This is a combination of those things.”
Horner also revealed the traits that make Verstappen “the most competitive driver” he has ever met, and why they make him the best driver in the history of the sport.
Read more: Verstappen joins elite club after Qatar Sprint, says winning third title is ‘a great feeling’
Asked about Verstappen’s hunger for success, Horner said: “That’s his personality and I think he’s the most competitive driver I’ve ever met.” “I think it’s the determination, the passion, the heart, the dedication with which he drives, and of course the wealth of skills that he has.
“He stands here as part of the best, greatest players in the history of this sport, and I think this season was just better than anything we’ve seen before.
Horner heaped praise on Verstappen’s confidence after winning his third world title
“We’ve had a lot of wins with Sebastian, but this has taken him to another level. He’s only 26 years old. I think he’s still going to get better, I think he’s still going to evolve, and I think he’s going to continue to evolve.” Please grow as ”
Of all the traits that Verstappen possesses, Horner was asked which one “stuns” him the most. He replied: “I just think he has the belief, the confidence in himself to go out and get it done, go out and make something happen.
Read more: Piastri wins sprint in Qatar, Verstappen takes third F1 world title
“I’ve seen it in the wet, on the out laps, in changing conditions, and it’s really great. I think that’s the biggest thing for me.”
“His ability to integrate with the car, his confidence in himself and, as I say, his confidence, is just outstanding.”
