Horner's words harsh: 'If he meant it that way, I don't think that's cool'

Carlos Sainz fiercely defended his leading position in the Italian Grand Prix. Christian Horner felt that the Ferrari driver's way of defending was rubbing up against the regulations. Ted Kravitz does not really understand why the Red Bull Racing team boss was talking about that afterwards.

Max Verstappen's patience was tested, but eventually, the Dutchman managed to pass the Spaniard after applying prolonged pressure. A few laps earlier, the two-time world champion had already made an attempt, but Sainz chose a side late on.

Horner said afterwards: "Carlos was very robust, he was a little late at times, he moved a bit [under braking], but: he's driving a Ferrari, at Monza, he’s going to defend for his life," said Max Verstappen's team boss.

Horner not caught out

Sky Sports pit reporter Ted Kravitz does not really understand where Horner was trying to go with his wording. According to him, it would be crazy if Sainz had given up his position easily. Had he not defended so hard, criticism would also have come, Kravitz reads. "I thought that comment from Christian Horner when he said Sainz was defending as if his life depended on it… if Horner meant that in a sort of antsy way, well that’s not cool Because you know what? His life depended on it, Sainz's. Because you know what? His life did depend on it, Carlos Sainz’s life did depend on it."

The future of the current number five in the championship does not seem entirely certain at Ferrari. He is ranked higher than Charles Leclerc in the world championship, but it was only his first podium finish of 2023. Leclerc already had three and it might otherwise have been zero against four. For Sainz, it was an important Sunday in front of the home crowd at Monza.

Right to fight

The 49-year-old Briton continued, "He had absolutely every right to defend from Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, and everybody else who passed him or tried to pass him today as if his life depended on it because that’s what they’re paid for.”