Max Verstappen is "outstanding" according to Christian Horner

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has praised Max Verstappen for how he performed in 2016. The Dutchman started the year off in Toro Rosso but got an early call up to the senior team where he made quite the impression by winning on his debut.

More outstanding overtakes and displays followed, which didn't go unnoticed. Horner has applauded the abilities of the 19 year old who is preparing for his third year in F1.

"Hats off to Helmut Marko for initially pushing very hard for Max to give him a junior contract, for nicking him from under the noses of Mercedes," Horner told RACER.

"People thought we were mad at the time to put him in a Formula 1 car at the age of 16. Then of course what he delivered in his first season was already outstanding, and he only built on that in his second year.

"I think the timing was just about right for him to be honest with you. He's grown into that role incredibly well and you can see as he's gained more experience his performances have just got stronger and stronger and stronger throughout the year."

Horner admits that promoting Verstappen was a big risk but one that indubitably paid off. 

 "Inevitably with all these things there was a risk and of course there was an awful lot of criticism at the time surrounding it. 

"But, you know, Red Bull is different to other teams, we have four cockpits, all four drivers are contracted to Red Bull Racing and we could switch them around every race if we so wished, which is a privileged position that we're in.

"But why wouldn't you put your best foot forward in your first team? Of course then by Max going out and delivering the performance and victory that he ultimately did, which was a fairytale start, totally vindicated that decision."

Fergal Walsh