Horner Addresses Verstappen's Las Vegas Criticism: 'Everything Else Is Bulls**t To Him'

Sunday, 10 December 2023 at 09:00

Updated at Sunday, 10 December 2023 at 10:57

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner recently addressed Max Verstappen's approach to answering media questions.

Max Verstappen has very openly voiced his opinion on multiple issues throughout the 2023 season, often not being afraid to criticize F1 or FIA.

One of the most recent examples was the Las Vegas Grand Prix and all things associated with it. The Dutchman made multiple negative statements about that race and the show around it throughout the weekend, criticizing the way it was organized and held.

Red Bull Racing advisory Helmut Marko said about him: "Max is very straightforward; perhaps he could have said things a bit more diplomatically, but he has now made up for everything."

The team's principal, Christian Horner, explained to the media it is not in Verstappen's character to sugarcoat things that he says. He will state his opinion bluntly no matter where he is and who he speaks to. As reported by Motorsport Italy, he said:

"Max is a driver, he is not an artist or a showman, he is a racing driver. And he's just very honest, he doesn't give a damn about being famous, he just wants to race a car and go fast, everything else is bullshit to him."

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The 26-year-old F1 driver also recently explained that when asked a question, he responds with a view of a purely racing driver and does not look at the business perspective.

As a racing driver, he thought that Las Vegas was not the best race, as drivers can't extract the full potential from F1 cars on a street circuit like that. He also later added these cars are much better suited for dedicated racing circuits like Monza, for example.

On the other hand, from a business perspective, it made complete sense for F1 to organize a race in Las Vegas for multiple beneficial reasons, but that does not concern Verstappen. Horner continued:

"It doesn't mean Max believes they are doing anything wrong, it's just not for him, if he could remain anonymous I'm sure he would be.

In the end, Horner pointed out the positive side of Max's approach, and that is that you always get 100% of the Dutchman, and he won't hide his opinion behind the corporate answers.

"I would add that there is also a new aspect to Max's approach, you know that he will tell you what he thinks, and will never give a corporate answer."