Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner said that Max Verstappen was “more sensitive” than he let on to what he called “unfounded” criticism throughout the 2024 Formula 1 campaign.
Verstappen came under fire for several confrontations with title rival Lando Norris at the Austrian, United States and Mexico City Grands Prix.
The final two of those confrontations brought the Dutchman’s aggressive driving style into the spotlight as detractors questioned the necessity of driving Norris off the road.
This led to Verstappen claiming he had the “wrong passport” amid criticism from selected British media.
Following the Dutchman’s title ascension in Las Vegas, Horner told select media including Motorsport Week that Verstappen was affected by the criticism.
“He’s more sensitive than you think and I think the criticism… I think inevitably he’s aware of it,” Horner said.
“And some of it I think is very unfounded. He’s a driver that drives aggressively, he’s an attacking driver.”
Horner adds that Verstappen’s traits can be found in other F1 greats, acknowledging that yes, Verstappen is aggressive: “But so was [Ayrton] Senna, so was [Michael] Schumacher, so was [Lewis] Hamilton.
“They all came under the same kind of spotlight at various times in their careers.”
By wining his fourth world title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Verstappen eclipsed Senna and joined Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost, Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Hamilton in the elite club of drivers with four or more Championships.
Horner said: “I think what he’s really done this year is absolutely cement his position amongst the greats in the sport. And I think that both statistically and on the way that he’s driven, that’s unquestionable.”
‘Fame doesn’t sit comfortably’ with Verstappen, says Horner
Verstappen achieved his fourth title with a Red Bull RB20 that was for the majority of the season second, third or even fourthth best when stacked up against rival machines produced by McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes.
That prompted a 10-race winless streak between Verstappen’s victories at the Spanish and Sao Paulo GPs.
It’s no wonder then that the Dutchman was emotional after his fourth title became a reality in the Nevada desert.
“I think that he’s got huge maturity but [the title] means so much to him,” Horner explained.
“You heard the emotion. I haven’t seen his press conference. I don’t know what he was like in the press conference but it really means a huge amount to him.
“He’s not a guy that fame sits comfortably with. He doesn’t call, you know, adulation.
“He just loves driving fast cars and he’s a unique guy. He deserves all the plaudits that this season and his driving this season that he’s produced.”
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