Max Verstappen made no friends at Ferrari after colliding with both Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen on the first lap, of the first corner at the Belgian Grand Prix, then later employing his trademark aggressive defensive tactics when under attack from Raikkonen.
However his Red Bull team boss has defended the Dutch teenager in the aftermath of a mayhem packed grand prix at Spa-Francorchamps and believes that the youngster’s approach to racing is what attracts fans to Formula 1 races.
“There was no action from the Stewards,” Horner told media after the race, “When he looked back at it, it was on the edge, it was right on the limit, and obviously he got away with it. I’m sure he’ll have a look at it and learn for future races.”
Asked if Verstappen was not too aggressive on track, “With all of these things, what goes around comes around. So the drivers tend to sort these things out on the circuit, Max has pushed the limit today, he’s been right on the limit, the referee [steward] is happy with it. So no further comments from us.”
Asked if he had chatted to Verstappen about the race incidents at Spa, Horner said with a smile, “Yeah I told him not to tell anyone where he’s staying in Monza because I’m sure there’s some angry Italians.”
And he added on a serious note, “As I say, if there was a major issue with it, the Stewards would have pulled him up. We’ve seen that before, he was on the limit, he’s young, all the seriously ambitious and gifted drivers have that streak within them.”
“I remember Sebastian getting criticised here a few years ago, there’s been a few other drivers as history’s demonstrated that have shown that fighting spirit, and I think that’s why it’s part of that fighting spirit which is why there’s been such a big crowd here,” concluded Horner.
Meanwhile Raikkonen has predicted that Verstappen will “sooner or later cause a massive accident” and his teammate Vettel is also wary of the 18 year olds tactics.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said that Verstappen “reminds me of Lewis, it reminds me of Ayrton Senna and you can clearly see that some guys around here are starting to think twice how to overtake him.”
But added, “I just fear that it might end up in the wall heavily one day. For me it’s refreshing but it’s dangerous.”
To which Horner retorted, “I’m surprised that Toto’s commenting on something that’s got nothing to do with him, but I think it was firm, it was on the edge, [Verstappen] got away with it, the Stewards were happy with it.
“So if there were to be an issue or a conflict of any rules I’m sure Danny Sullivan [race stewrad at Spa] is an experienced guy, he would have called them up or Charlie Whiting would have reported it to the Stewards,” said Horner.
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