Horner sees Verstappen only getting better: 'At another level'

Max Verstappen took the 40th win of his F1 career in Spain and third at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with team principal Christian Horner praising the Dutchman's immense growth since his arrival at Red Bull.

Verstappen wins again

It is already Verstappen's fifth win of this F1 season. The Red Bull driver did very little wrong all weekend and drove to victory with ease, his 40th already in his F1 career. In a press moment after the race, Horner, speaking to GPblog and others, looked back on Verstappen's development since his first win for Red Bull (also in Barcelona).

"I think in 2016, he was very raw, he was incredibly fast, and hugely naturally talented.  And he still has that natural speed and tremendous ability. But I think what he has now is the experience and roundedness, and the capacity that he has,'' said the Red Bull Racing team boss.

Horner and Marko impressed

For this, Horner also cited the moment that took place during the second free practice, where Verstappen heard Helmut Marko's phone go off. Gianpiero Lambiase was giving Verstappen information over the radio when Verstappen heard a phone go off. From the ringtone, the two-time world champion recognised the owner of the phone. Marko also expressed his appreciation of this to GPblog.

''When he's recognising Helmut Marko's phone ringing from within the car, he's just got this added bandwidth that has put him at another level. I think the exciting thing about him is that he's still getting better,'' said the Briton.

Things are also starting to look better and better for Verstappen in the World Championship. Sergio Perez had hopes of challenging Max this year, but little is coming of that at the moment. In Monaco and Spain, the Mexican has been lacklustre in qualifying. According to Horner, this is also partly because he puts too much pressure on himself. Now that the gap is 53 points, perhaps he can accept that he is second fiddle.