Verstappen Puzzled by 'Weird' Horner Question Amidst Title Fight
Max Verstappen found a question linking his F1 form to Christian Horner's departure "weird," as he prepares for the Las Vegas Grand Prix 49 points behind Lando Norris. Red Bull's mid-season improvement has prompted speculation, but Verstappen emphasized the team's long-term development rather than leadership changes. Despite a recent surge, Norris's back-to-back wins have made a fifth title for Verstappen unlikely, but he praised Red Bull's efforts to enhance car competitiveness.
Max Verstappen dismissed a question about his form being linked to Christian Horner's departure from Red Bull as "weird," as he gears up for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Dutchman is currently 49 points behind leader Lando Norris, a gap that seemed improbable earlier in the season when Red Bull struggled and McLaren surged ahead.
Why it matters:
Red Bull's mid-season resurgence, coinciding with Laurent Mekies replacing Horner, has sparked discussions about the team's trajectory. Verstappen's reaction highlights the pressure and scrutiny he faces as he attempts a championship comeback, emphasizing the team's long-term development rather than leadership changes.
The details:
- Christian Horner was replaced by Laurent Mekies as Red Bull Team Principal after the British Grand Prix.
- Since Mekies took over, Red Bull has shown an uptick in performance, despite Mekies attributing this to pre-existing development plans.
- A journalist in Las Vegas questioned Verstappen if a championship comeback would have been possible under Horner's leadership, to which Verstappen responded, "I find it a really weird question. I don't know why that would be suddenly now that we close 49 points like that. I don't know, you can fill it in yourself."
- Verstappen secured three wins in four races post-summer break, briefly putting him in contention for the championship.
- However, Lando Norris's consecutive victories in Mexico and Brazil have re-established a significant lead with only three rounds left.
The big picture:
Verstappen's championship hopes, once seemingly out of reach, saw a brief revival fueled by strong Red Bull performances. Despite the recent setbacks, he remains focused on the team's continuous efforts to improve the car's competitiveness.
What's next:
With the championship seemingly out of reach, Verstappen and Red Bull will be looking to finish the season strongly, using the remaining races to further develop their car and gather momentum for the next season. The focus will be on maximizing performance in the remaining rounds, including the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix.