Red Bull boss Christian Horner reckons that Max Verstappen is Formula 1’s most-in form driver, and is ready to compete for the world title in 2020.
Verstappen finished third in the 2019 Drivers’ Championship, behind Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, and scored victories in Austria, Germany and Brazil.
Verstappen also claimed pole position in Hungary – his first in Formula 1 – and Brazil, and was quickest in Mexico prior to receiving a penalty.
“He’s in a position now where he’s more than capable of challenging for the World Championship,” Horner told Red Bull’s official website.
“We need to give him a car that he can do that with.
“If we can do that I’ve got every confidence that he can take the fight to Lewis, Mercedes and Ferrari.
“He’s right there; his form has been fantastic and I believe he’s the most in-form F1 driver at the moment.”
Red Bull has been a front-runner throughout Formula 1’s hybrid era but has not challenged for the title in that period, twice placing a distant second, while for the last three years it has been third.
“I think we’re in the best position we’ve been in since the change in regulations at the end of 2013,” asserted Horner.
“Red Bull’s philosophy to invest in youth means we have emerging young talent in all areas of the business which is really starting to pay dividends and the team is on a charge.
“We need to come out of the blocks competitively next year, Mercedes are still the benchmark going into next year so we need to try and push them from the first race in order to take the challenge to them.
“There is a real buzz and anticipation in the factory at the moment, so we need to capitalise on that and build on the positive momentum from 2019.”
