Max Verstappen has grown to become a “phenomenal force” at Red Bull over the past year, Christian Horner claims.
The team boss was reflecting on a decisive year for the Dutchman that saw him evolve from the crash-prone, driver that began 2018 into the man that has 12 podiums in the past 21 races.
That number would have been 13 had it not been for a five-second penalty in Monaco dropping him from second to fourth, but it was the streets of Monte Carlo where it all started.
“I think really if you wind the clock back 12 months, (Monaco 2018) was probably the lowest weekend of his career, having a car capable of winning and crashing in FP3 and not being able to take part in qualifying,” Horner told Racer.
“That was very tough for him and I think he went away from that race and he reflected hard on it.
“Since Montreal last year he’s really just stepped things up a gear and he’s been a phenomenal force whenever he’s been in the car.”
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This season, Verstappen has finished no lower than fourth with two third places thrown in, this despite having the third fastest car at most races.
“The way he started this season has been outstanding,” the Red Bull boss continued.
“He’s overachieved in certain aspects and I think he’s got that roundedness of maturity and is very much leading the team development-wise.
“I think he’s enjoying and relishing that role as well, so if you compare Max Verstappen to the equivalent time last year, he’s evolved a tremendous amount and I think that’s again the benefit of experience as well.”
Horner also recognised the performance the 21-year-old put in to push Lewis Hamilton throughout Sunday’s race in Monte Carlo.
“Max drove the wheels off the car,” Horner continued. “He got away in grid position and had a look at passing (Valtteri) 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… finishing fourth is tough for Max after a drive like that but as always, he didn’t give up until the chequered flag.”
