Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has heaped praise on the mentality shown by Max Verstappen in what was a very tricky 2017 season in large parts for the Dutchman.
After making a major impact following his promotion to the senior team at last year’s Spanish Grand Prix, a race he would win, this year was meant to be a continuation of the rapid rise towards the top and potentially even a first challenge at the championship.
However, the RB13 would fall well short of expectations as the third best and some way behind Mercedes and a resurgent Ferrari and then the 20-year-old’s luck would desert him completely with seven retirements in the first 14 races due to mechanical problems as well as be taken out three separate times at the first corner.
As Red Bull made progress in the final six races, the star that lies within began to shine again too with Verstappen winning twice in three races in Sepang and Mexico with that confidence seeing what had looked like a fractious relationship with the team at one point restored with a new contract until 2020 announced in the United States.
“What has really impressed me this year is the way that he has dealt with some of the difficult moments,” Horner commented. “There have been quite a few of those, particularly in the summer months.”
What also made his ability to maintain focus and produce those late performances even more incredible, in the mind of the Red Bull boss, was this year really marked the first difficult year in Max’s career anywhere.
“It is easy to forget it is only his fourth year of car racing,” he admitted. “He has just grown in experience of racing in general. He has kept working hard at it, he has kept the hours up on the simulator every week.
“His application is first class and obviously, his ability is unquestionable. He has a great feel for the car, a great sensitivity to the limit of the car.”
That’s not to say his season was exemplary with a few moments when his judgement was lacking, particularly against his teammate on the first lap in Budapest and contact with Felipe Massa when trying to fight through from back at Monza.
“They were the only two mistakes he has made this year,” said Horner. “There is a fine line between hero and villain. He is a risk taker, but not irresponsible risk, calculated risk and he has a fighting spirit within him which is exciting to watch.”
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There was also controversy at the United States Grand Prix when he was given a post-race penalty for going off track and gaining advantage after passing Kimi Raikkonen on the final lap. At the time it caused a large debate but now Verstappen is past it.
“Of course, at first your initial reaction is something like: ‘Why? It was a great move!'” he said on his official website. “But when you look at the rules, it was not correct. Nothing was by the book that whole weekend. Drivers were getting off track without being penalised for it.
“You always need to focus on the positives. It’s always nice to be on the podium but to finish fourth after having started 16th is still a great result. [The penalty] wasn’t as painful as most people thought it was.
“In the end, I made my peace with it. It was still a nice race and everyone enjoyed the excitement all the way down to the final lap.”
