'Verstappen was incredibly frustrated with collision with Hamilton'

Christian Horner cannot believe his luck with Max Verstappen as a driver. According to the Brit, Verstappen is the most straightforward driver he has ever come across, and Horner also talks about the Dutchman's impressive mental strength.

Verstappen has been driving for Red Bull Racing since 2016, where he was allowed to make his debut at the Spanish Grand Prix in the season. After Verstappen won this race immediately, he has captured the hearts within Red Bull. Including that of Horner, Red Bull Racing's team boss. He was full of praise when he spoke about his pupil at Channel 4.

Quality of Verstappen

''In all these years I've never seen a driver as straightforward as Max. He's open and honest about everything and he doesn't care what the outside world thinks. If you spend more time with him and get to know him better, you will find out that he is a super nice guy with a huge passion for the sport. He's extremely hungry for success and motivated in every fiber to be perfect. I don't know any other driver with such internal motivation,'' said Horner.

''It's very easy to sit down with him and get his attention. Maybe the conversation shows that he doesn't agree, but he always tries to find a compromise. He is not someone who mulls over something for a long time. He tackles a problem, then it gets ticked off and he moves on.''

Battle with Hamilton

In the championship fight with Lewis Hamilton, Horner also sees this trait reflected. Especially after the duel with Hamilton in England the impact for the driver, but also for the team, was enormous. However, Max managed to put it aside quickly.

''Max was incredibly frustrated about the collision with Lewis in England and the result. He had worked very hard that weekend, had already won the sprint race and had a good chance of winning the GP. Instead: contact with Hamilton, 51g crash, hospital, opponent victory, but on Monday he said to me, 'If I could do the race again, I would win it.' And then he left that behind,'" the Briton concludes.