Red Bull has Verstappen part back: "Spares are at a premium"

During the third free practice session at the Paul Ricard circuit in France Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has again expressed his displeasure with the yellow kerbstones. He also confirmed that his team has recovered the part Max Verstappen lost during the second free practice.

"It was a sensible evening, plenty of data to go through with lots to try and understand," Horner commented in a conversation with Sky Sports. "It's quite a tricky circuit, the surface is unique so hopefully we've made some good changes overnight.

The team boss also confirmed that Verstappen's detached wing endplate has now been returned to the garage, something he is relieved about in light of the budget cap. The Brit explains: "Yeah, we did get the part back. Spares are at a premium particularly with triple headers and the budget cap challenges this year as well. You can't afford to just write components off. Thankfully it was returned and hopefully, it won't need to see service again this weekend."

Kerbs bring an expensive bill

The team boss also reiterated his views on the now infamous kerbs outside turn two, which punish wide drivers savagely. Horner again stressed the disproportionate damage that can be caused: "It's a difficult one. If there was a wall there the drivers wouldn't go near it. The problem is the amount of damage you do on the kerbs is disproportionate by running wide. They are more suited to touring cars than Formula 1 cars. I appreciate it's difficult for the race director but it is expensive when you get out and wide over those kerbs," he concluded.