Max Verstappen: Red Bull boss Christian Horner backs ‘hardcore racer’ not to change after Lando Norris clash | F1 News

Christian Horner insists Max Verstappen is not going to change after he as soon as once more defended his driver following his conflict with Lando Norris finally weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix.

The reigning world champion was handed a 10-second penalty for the incident on lap 64, when the pair collided as they battled for the lead, with Mercedes’ George Russell sweeping to victory.

Talking at Crimson Bull Racing headquarters in Milton Keynes forward of this weekend’s British Grand Prix, staff principal Horner backed Verstappen’s strategy and anticipated a tighter race between him and McLaren rival Norris. .

“I do know they’ve spoken and I do not suppose there’s any problem,” Horner informed reporters. sky sports activities information. “In fact, from Max’s perspective, he is not going to vary.

“I feel Lando is studying easy methods to race with Max and so they’re discovering that. Inevitably the competitors between the 2 of them might be extra intense as a result of the 2 vehicles look superb within the upcoming races. close to.

“Max is a hardworking racer – he is most likely one of many hardest working racers on the observe and everybody is aware of that if you are going to race Max, he’ll do his greatest.”

Verstappen in the end completed fifth in Austria, though the conflict ended Norris’ race, and McLaren staff principal Andrea Stella was amongst those that harshly criticized the Dutchman through the Crimson Bull Ring brawl. .

Nevertheless, Horner dismissed Stella’s claims, saying it was a direct results of Verstappen going unpunished for an incident that occurred throughout his world title battle with Lewis Hamilton three years in the past.

“He raced actually arduous in 2021, he is a tricky racer, and he hasn’t actually raced towards anybody in two years as a result of he was at all times on prime,” Horner stated.

“The battle between the 2 of them had been intensifying for 2, three, 4 races, they’d been racing fiercely and intensely and sooner or later it at all times spilled over – it occurred in Flip 3. .

“If he does one thing unsuitable, he might be punished in 2021, identical to Lewis, who did nicely within the race, might be punished for doing one thing unsuitable.

“I feel it is unsuitable and unfair to label a driver like that and I am positive it was irritating for Andrea within the warmth of the second, nevertheless it was only a robust race. He was very aggressive with Michael. working with schumaker [at Ferrari] In any case these years—he of all folks ought to know that.

As one among three British drivers on the circuit, Norris is more likely to obtain appreciable assist at Silverstone when Components 1 takes to the Northamptonshire circuit for the British Grand Prix this weekend.

Nevertheless, Horner is just not involved about the opportunity of Verstappen dealing with a hostile reception.

“I am positive it will be a partisan crowd for the British riders, identical to it was for Max within the Netherlands, however I feel each time we go to those tracks there’s at all times respect for the opposite riders,” stated Horton. Na stated.

“I hope Max will get an inexpensive reception and I am positive it will likely be orange once more this weekend – perhaps not Max Verstappen followers however extra McLaren followers.

“It is like water off a duck’s again for him and he’ll preserve his head down and never change. He is the racer he’s and I am positive he’ll race simply as arduous this weekend.”

The three-race F1 summer time season ends with a very powerful race – the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Watch each race dwell on Sky Sports activities F1 and Sky Showcase, with the race going down on Sunday at 3pm. Watch every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Monthly Membership – no contract, cancel anytime