Christian Horner says Max Verstappen “drove like a lion” in his pursuit of victory at Formula 1’s Monaco Grand Prix.
Verstappen started third but jumped ahead of Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas for second through the pit stop phase, albeit via an unsafe release that left him with a five-second time penalty.
Verstappen, on Hards, remained glued to the rear of Medium-shod Lewis Hamilton through the remainder of the race, as he sought a way past to build a lead and negate the impact of the sanction.
The Dutchman launched an attack with a few laps left but Hamilton defended; the pair made contact but retained their positions through to the chequered flag.
The Red Bull driver crossed the line half a second down on Hamilton but the close proximity of Sebastian Vettel and Bottas meant his time penalty relegated him to fourth.
“Max drove the wheels off the car,” said Horner.
“He got away in grid position and had a look at passing Bottas into Turn 1 but wasn’t quite far enough alongside.
“The mechanics did a great job with the pit stop and Max left the box before Bottas which, as per the rules, is fine. Unfortunately, it all got a bit too tight resulting in the Mercedes making contact with the barrier and the stewards issuing Max a five-second penalty.
“Max drove like a lion for the rest of the race and tried everything he could to pass Lewis.
“We had a better tyre strategy and there was only really one lap where he got close to making a move into the chicane.
“Finishing second on the road, but with the top four so close, he was denied a podium. Finishing fourth is tough for Max after a drive like that but as always, he didn’t give up until the chequered flag.”
Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Pierre Gasly recovered from his penalised grid spot of eighth to record fifth position, and also captured the additional point on offer for fastest lap.
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