Verstappen ‘smashed it out of the park’ – Horner

Max Verstappen “smashed it out of the park” at Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix, according to Red Bull boss Christian Horner, following a dominant display by the World Champion.

Verstappen started from 14th position after an engine-related grid penalty but surged through the pack and claimed the lead before mid-distance.

Verstappen went on to cruise to victory by almost 20 seconds, ahead of Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, to open a 93-point advantage in the championship.

“I think Max was quite simply in a league of his own today,” said Horner. “Not just today, but all weekend.

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“He’s excelled here in the past and today he’s basically smashed it out the park with a lap on the Mediums that still stood as the fastest lap despite Charles [Leclerc] having a go at the end on a set of Softs.

“He qualified on pole on two sets of soft tyres throughout the whole of qualifying and didn’t even do the last run, so it’s been a huge performance for him this weekend.

“Max since winning that championship last year has taken another step. It’s in many ways released him and he is driving at an incredible level.”

Horner labelled the result, Red Bull’s fourth 1-2 of the year, as one of its most emphatic in Formula 1.

“It is one of the most dominant performances that we’ve had as a team since either 2010 or 2013,” he said. “It’s right up there with that period and I don’t think we’ve ever won a race starting 14th on the grid.

“It’s a phenomenal performance and a lot of credit has to go to the people behind the scenes, because what you see here is just the end product and the drivers having to optimise that to the best.”