Christian Horner: “Max did nothing wrong”

Penalized in qualifying, victim of a puncture at the start of the race, the Mexican Grand Prix failed to Max Verstappen. The Dutchman, two-time winner at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, intended to aim for three in 2019, but the scenario did not smile on “Mad Max” last Sunday.

Come to rise to the height of Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) at the first turn, the former driver Toro Rosso and the world champion were forced to move onto the grass, with Verstappen the biggest loser in the affair.

Worse for Jos's son, contact with Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) a few laps later, caused a puncture and ruined the driver's race Red Bull.

Sixth after another rise in the peloton, the Dutchman did not hide his disappointment. “It’s a shame regarding the result, because the pace was good and the car was good, admits the resident of the RB15-Honda. But coming back to sixth place actually wasn't a bad result if you look at everything that happened. »

And if the top three discussed at a press conference how to deal with on-track fights with the Batavian, his boss Christian Horner found nothing wrong with the behavior of his protégé.

“Today, it could have gone one way or the other,” says the Briton. It was close with Lewis. But that’s what racing is like. The episode with Bottas was complicated, because he had undoubtedly succeeded in overtaking, but he was caught off guard by Valtteri's front wing.

It was just unlucky. Some days it goes your way, some days it doesn't. I think he got off to a good start, was patient with the Ferrari. He was ahead of Lewis, but braked early, allowing Lewis to take the risk on the outside.

Lewis then had a racket hit, they both ended up on the grass.  I don't think he did anything wrong in the first few corners. »

Discover the full report and analysis of the Mexican Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents in Mexico City, in issue 2240 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version and on newsstands.