Horner: "This is all part of learning curve for Max"

Max Verstappen's impressive F1 career is still on track despite a less-than-impressive showing in Monaco, his new boss Christian Horner insists. Just a fortnight after stunning the F1 world and drawing comparisons with Senna or Schumacher by winning in Barcelona, the 18-year-old Dutchman crashed not only in qualifying but also during the race in Monaco last weekend.

But Red Bull team boss Horner said Verstappen was having a good race through the field until he made a mistake and hit the wall. "He wasn't the only one to be caught out, but it's been a very contrasting weekend for him compared to two weeks ago," Horner admitted. "It's all part of the learning curve that he's on and I think that the trajectory that you can see is still extremely impressive. I only think that he's going to learn and we won't see him make the same mistakes next year," he added.

Horner said Verstappen had apologised to the team and will use the experience of Monaco - where he also crashed in his Toro Rosso a year ago - to keep learning. "He's a bright, intelligent character and I think he'll take on board what has happened this weekend and he'll definitely move forward and learn from it," said Horner. (GMM)