Horner adamant Verstappen didn't break rules: "There was no yellow"

With controversy raging over Max Verstappen potentially breaking the rules during his final run in qualifying ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has come out to defend his driver, saying he did nothing wrong in his eyes.

Valtteri Bottas suffered a massive crash at the death of Q3, clattering into the barriers at the final corner of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Right after it happened, both Lewis Hamilton as well as Verstappen came past to complete their flying laps, with neither driver lifting when driving past the wreckage.

Verstappen could face a penalty if he did indeed not lift while yellow flags were being waved, but Horner doesn't think this is the case.

"He finished his last lap as there was no yellow [board] as did Lewis," the Brit said in a brief statement to Sky Sports F1, as Verstappen improved his laptime by two-tenths to claim his second career pole position.

Sky Sports pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz also communicated Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto told him both his drivers lifted when driving past the wreckage.