Horner: Hamilton and Vettel fear Verstappen the most
- Published on 07 Feb 2019 09:14
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- By: Richard Fletcher
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says that Max Verstappen is the driver that Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel fear the most. The duo, with their total of 9 world championships, think that Verstappen has the best chance of disrupting their front running status in Formula 1.
During the last nine races of the 2018 season only championship winner Hamilton outscored Verstappen. This followed a poor start for the Dutchman making mistakes and suffering several incidents which left his title challenge floundering.
Speaking about Verstappen, Horner commented: "I don't think he fears anything. We've seen both of those guys make mistakes throughout their careers. Sebastian has a bit of a messy year last year.
"I don't think he lacks anything that they have if we can provide him with the tools to do the job. He's probably the driver that they fear the most. He's got that absolute determination and zero fear. we saw it in the rain in Brazil (in 2017) . His ability to go to the next level is right there with the very best."
Horner then expanded his view of the 21-year-old: "I think his maturity has increased; we saw that during the course of last year. He's just more worldly, more experienced. He's in a better place to be able to deal with the pressures that are placed on him."
Verstappen will take the role as the senior driver with Pierre Gasly alongside him and Horner expects him to lead the team's development during the 2019 season although he admits that Verstappen is not a fan of testing.
"You just know with him that he wants to race as hard as possible, every lap. He's not a big fan of testing, he'd far rather go racing."
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Replies (12)
Login to replyLightIsRight
Posts: 113
Ya, damn straight they fear him, they fear he will crash into him ruining their races!
blade
Posts: 341
I think wheel banging is great and two into a corner stuff is great drama - but those charged with policing events need to ensure he doesn't overstep the mark - they all know his default settings - to my mind should be very easy to police. But NOT at the expense of proper hard racing - that's what I pay for - not processions. Let all racers race to the extremes of the laws, punish them hard when they overstep.
DGuzmanG
Posts: 15
Yeah, some people still see him as the spirited rookie that will mature, but when? Isn't 6 years enough...
Although I reckon he did seem to have matured a bit last year, I think we'll truly see how much when/if he gets to fight for championships... So he won't have his "I didn't have anything to lose" excuse...
f1ski
Posts: 726
louis is very much that same type of driver . I am coming thru and u can be my victim or u can let me by . Ask massa.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
I agree, that's mostly true, but Hamilton matured faster in his F1 career and he does know when to yield instead of crash. VER showed some of that restraint in the latter half of the season and he performed better in terms of results.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
We have this employee with our team, it is the best in business. Every other employee in the business fear our employee. Our team is the best. Really! Trust me! Please...
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Exactly.
Don't get me wrong, I think Verstappen in a fast car would be feared. I don't think he would win a championship yet, but he would be a massive disruptor
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yeah, I think its far more likely for Vettel and Hammy to get a challenge from Bottas or Leclerc, leaning more towards the monegascque (boy Im really not sure how to spell that, nor am I arsed to find out). Its a pity Red Bull is headed by the likes of Horner and Marko, I really don't fancy either of them.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
It's looking to be a good season. And what's a season without a disruptor or two? Now that some of the fast youngsters who competed against VER in the lower formulas are in faster cars this season it could get really interesting. He did get beaten by some of those guys on a regular basis. He's in a Newey car but the verdict is still out on the Honda engines after all.
Patentprutser
Posts: 390
I think Christian is right, but I think they have to fear Charles LeClerc as well. Especcially Vettel shoud be warned! They are both hard racers and lack the sitting oldies, just as we need to end the processions.
jaybee
Posts: 16
Judging by the second half of 2018, I believe the only thing that would keep Max from winning the WDC this year, or being runner up, is the Honda engine.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
The other thing that will beat Max is Max. Admittedly he did do better in the 2nd half but only time will tell if he can hold that form. He does seem to be carrying himself more like a man lately rather than a little boy like he was. It's likely that he might have to face Ocon in a Merc in the near future. I can see the sparks already!