Posted in: 29/08/2022 – 16:10Last updated: 29/08/2022 – 16:08
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) (AFP) – Dutch Formula One world champion Max Verstappen has taken a “different level” following winning the world title last year, according to Red Bull boss Christian Horner, who praised his driver following winning the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday at Spa-Francorchamps.
After a penalty for returning him to 14th place on the starting line to change the power unit, the twenty-four-year-old passed car following car and took first place in front of his Mexican teammate Sergio Perez, who started in second place.
Horner praised Verstappen, who is 93 points clear of Pires at the top of the drivers’ standings, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is third, with an additional five points.
“Max was out of the competition and not only during the race, but throughout the weekend.”
Horner described Verstappen’s victory as “among the best” for Red Bull, while special advisor Helmut Marko considered that they need “two or three wins” to secure the title.
“Our goal is clear now because we want to finish first and second in the championship for the first time in our history,” said Marko. “We need to win two or three races to make sure we have a safe position.”
Ironically, the two men thanked the rival team, Mercedes, for pressing for new technical changes to reduce concussions, which contributed to Red Bull’s capture of the world championship.
“On the one hand, I thank Toto (Wolf, Mercedes chief) for the technical guidance…but seriously, I think it worked out for us,” Horner said sarcastically.
He continued, “A great performance by Max. He wasn’t greedy from the start, he was patient… and he ran steadily towards the finish line.”
Out of 14 races so far, Verstappen won 9 titles, and he is the most likely to keep his title, although 8 races remain until the end of the season officially.
© 2022 AFP
