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Horner saw immediately in 2016 that Verstappen was 'super-fast'

Horner saw immediately in 2016 that Verstappen was 'super-fast'

24-05-2022 12:17 Last update: 15:01
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GPblog.com

Christian Horner can remember the first day he started working with Max Verstappen like yesterday. Just before the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing decided to swap Daniil Kvjat for the Dutchman, which proved to be a great success. Horner had no regrets about it right away.

Expectations were high at the time, as Verstappen was also doing well at Toro Rosso. In Barcelona, he drove an excellent qualifying session, saw Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton drive into each other at the start of the race and ultimately managed to finish the GP winning.

"He was seventeen when he drove Grands Prix for Toro Rosso, but he already made such an overwhelming impression there. Max was immediately super-fast. And he showed that during his first race weekend with us," Horner recalled in conversation with the NOS. "Max did phenomenally in the practice sessions, was even faster in the third practice session on Saturday morning and put Daniel right up against the fire."

Multiple podium finishes in first season for Red Bull

It was the only time for Verstappen to stand on the highest podium in 2016. In Austria, Great Britain, Malaysia and Japan he still managed to finish second, while in Germany and Brazil he took third place.