2
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
2017 will be a massive year for Verstappen.. very strange to think it is already his third year
Yes indeed, time is going fast. This guy did nothing more than impressed me every time again. I think if RBR have a competitive car for 2017, both drivers will push up there game and will make F1 very exiting again to watch.
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
755,832 comments on Red Bull Racing
968 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Max Verstappen
815,933 comments on Red Bull Racing 677 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Red Bull Racing
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
2017 will be a massive year for Verstappen.. very strange to think it is already his third year