Max Verstappen has turned F1 into a one-man show in recent seasons, as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz is the only other driver to win a race since last year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
And even though the rivals are doing everything they can to try and reduce Red Bull’s advantage, the world champion team is still clearly in a class of its own at the top.
This means that with Verstappen in the form of his career, and clearly completely in tune with his car, it is inevitable as the Dutchman racks up many more victories en route to this year’s championship.
Speaking about the level Verstappen was playing at, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: “He hits like a metronome.
“The pace he showed last year, he just continued it. I think since the last Chinese Grand Prix [in 2019], he won 50% of all races. He has won 21 of the last 23 races. He is in fantastic shape. He becomes one with the car, one with the team and enjoys his race.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1st position, Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing and the Red Bull team celebrate
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
But even though things seem perfect at the moment, Horner says F1’s history shows that periods of dominance can quickly end – which is why his team is taking nothing for granted.
“I think you have to enjoy success,” he said. “Max is a special talent. It’s a golden moment for him and, as we’ve seen with every driver, it doesn’t last forever.
“I think it’s about enjoying the moment, being in the moment. There’s no guarantee we’ll be able to give him a car like this every year for the next five years. So it’s all about doing what you can, while you can.
Red Bull appeared to be under more pressure from their rivals at the start of this season, but Verstappen’s advantage at the recent Japanese and Chinese Grands Prix indicates the team has stretched its legs again.
But Horner believes the nature of the long corners at Suzuka and Shanghai likely played to the RB20’s strengths, so the form could be different at upcoming venues.
“I think it’s probably track specific because it could well be that we go to the next race and it plays out again,” he said. “It probably will.
“We haven’t raced in really hot temperatures yet, or anything like that. So there are still a lot of variables. But on the different circuits we have had, the RB20 is up to the task and the drivers – and in particular Max – are doing a remarkable job.
Max Verstappen has turned F1 into a one-man show in recent seasons, as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz is the only other driver to win a race since last year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
And even though the rivals are doing everything they can to try and reduce Red Bull’s advantage, the world champion team is still clearly in a class of its own at the top.
This means that with Verstappen in the form of his career, and clearly completely in tune with his car, it is inevitable as the Dutchman racks up many more victories en route to this year’s championship.
Speaking about the level Verstappen was playing at, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: “He hits like a metronome.
“The pace he showed last year, he just continued it. I think since the last Chinese Grand Prix [in 2019], he won 50% of all races. He has won 21 of the last 23 races. He is in fantastic shape. He becomes one with the car, one with the team and enjoys his race.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1st position, Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing and the Red Bull team celebrate
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
But even though things seem perfect at the moment, Horner says F1’s history shows that periods of dominance can quickly end – which is why his team is taking nothing for granted.
“I think you have to enjoy success,” he said. “Max is a special talent. It’s a golden moment for him and, as we’ve seen with every driver, it doesn’t last forever.
“I think it’s about enjoying the moment, being in the moment. There’s no guarantee we’ll be able to give him a car like this every year for the next five years. So it’s all about doing what you can, while you can.
Red Bull appeared to be under more pressure from their rivals at the start of this season, but Verstappen’s advantage at the recent Japanese and Chinese Grands Prix indicates the team has stretched its legs again.
But Horner believes the nature of the long corners at Suzuka and Shanghai likely played to the RB20’s strengths, so the form could be different at upcoming venues.
“I think it’s probably track specific because it could well be that we go to the next race and it plays out again,” he said. “It probably will.
“We haven’t raced in really hot temperatures yet, or anything like that. So there are still a lot of variables. But on the different circuits we have had, the RB20 is up to the task and the drivers – and in particular Max – are doing a remarkable job.
