Horner Breaks Down Why Verstappen Is 'More Reserved Than In Early Days'
F1Tuesday, 02 January 2024 at 18:00
Red Bull's team principal, Christian Horner, discussed Max Verstappen's change in approach to the start of each race.
Max Verstappen is the only F1 driver to finish and score points in every single race of the 2023 season. Had it not been for the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, he would also be the only driver to stand on the podium in every single race of the season.
The Dutchman has cost his team the least money in terms of damages on the car out of any driver on the grid, and the only mistake he made was to tap a wing in the pit lane during the British Grand Prix qualifying.
His team principal, Christian Horner, was impressed by how the 26-year-old performed in every single race of the season. He quoted by motorsport.com, he said:
"If you look at the control that he has in races, the way he's reading races, the tire management that he has is outstanding."
Verstappen used to have the driving style of somebody who wants to win the Championship, pushes super hard all the race and goes for every single overtake no matter how risky it is.
However, it has changed in recent two years to the style of a Championship defender who knows he has the car speed and skills to win, he just needs to be careful in the first few corners and avoid crashes.
"And he's just using the experience that he's gleaned [from] both racing this year, last year, 2021. In many respects, first corners, he's been absolutely more reserved than in the earlier days of his career. His timing has been [excellent]."
In 2023, it didn't matter which position Verstappen started from; his rivals knew he would come flying by if he managed to avoid collisions, and he did. Horner added:
"The way he's played out races, he's not rushed to get it all done in the first couple of laps, he's built his way through a race."
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