Horner: Verstappen must have winning car

  • Published on 27 Jul 2017 14:35
  • comments 5
  • By: Mason Hawker

Christian Horner has said that it is crucial for Max Verstappen to receive a winning car next year after the struggles that have robbed him of several points finishes in 2017.

The Dutchman's current deal with Red Bull expires at the end of 2019, and whilst the team has continually insisted he cannot escape this contract, his RB13 has so far proved unreliable on many occasions. This has led Verstappen and his father Jos to not totally rule out a move to Mercedes or Ferrari. Verstappen's run of bad luck ended last time out in Silverstone with a strong finish, and when asked if he was relieved about this, Horner answered: "You could say that."

Moving onto the matter of his driver's recent frustrated outbursts, he told Algemeen Dagblad: "Of course he has shown some emotion, especially when you stick a microphone under his chin after a bad race, but he has also always been under control.

"This phase in his career is still character building for him, because F1 is not a sport that relies simply on a racquet, bat or ball. So he will only get stronger and more complete."

Horner also added that improvement is coming to Red Bull as a team, and has been since the Spanish Grand Prix in May. He is confident that they can improve further in the future and retain Verstappen. "Since Barcelona there has been real progress in every race with the possible exception of Silverstone, but we're clearly on the right track.

"It's up to us to give Max a car with which he can win before we talk about the future. If we do that, I'm sure there's no team Max wants to race for other than ours."

 

Mason Hawker

Replies (5)

Login to reply
  • Then give him one

    • + 0
    • Jul 27 2017 - 15:42
  • JoeGreen84

    Posts: 30

    A truly great driver can wrestle the best out of an noncompetitive car. he isnt great yet and wont be until he has proved himself.

    • + 0
    • Jul 27 2017 - 16:28
  • But you do not have one. So are you saying you are willing to give him away? I think not.

    • + 0
    • Jul 27 2017 - 17:52
  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    Nope he's saying that they (redbull) need to improve. It took bringing adrian newey back to get the rb13 anywhere near the front. They are still suffering from having a less competive powerplant. Not sure if redbull can close the gap on a chassis alone. The fact that a team like redbull can't get their hands on it still stinks.

    • + 0
    • Jul 27 2017 - 21:55
  • RonLin210

    Posts: 5

    Every driver wants a "winning" car.

    • + 0
    • Jul 28 2017 - 10:17

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 01:48

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 01:48

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Country Netherlands
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (27)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), Netherlands
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar