Horner 'absolutely delighted' with Verstappen title: 'Max is on another planet'

After Max Verstappen, Christian Horner must be the second happiest man in the world. The stable manager Red Bull has just experienced the Dutchman's second coronation in Japan in Formula 1. This is the 6th title won by a Red Bull driver since the creation of the team in 2005 (4x Hag, 2x Verstappen), at the end of a head and shoulders dominated season. On the Suzuka circuit, owned by Honda, the now double world champion validated a crown already acquired over several Grands Prix. If the outcome of the race and the championship took place in total confusion, the announcement of the title for Verstappen made the members of the Austrian team exult.

“Unexpectedly, we won [the championship]! This is a phenomenal result from Max Verstappen, declared Christian Horner after the Japanese Grand Prix. We thought we were one point away from winning the title, so we put aside the idea of ​​stopping. It was also necessary for Checo [Pérez] to surpass Charles Leclerc. But in the end, Checo's move sealed the championship for Max. We can see his surprise, the surprise of the team too. But what a wonderful surprise. »

“The most important thing will be the constructor’s championship” says Horner

The boss of the Milton Keynes team, who has already won everything several times with Red Bull, was not stingy with superlatives to qualify his driver's second coronation. “Max Verstappen has been exceptional this year. If we put aside the few difficult races at the start of the season, in the way he was able to bounce back, the way he drove, he dominated this championship. (…) Winning the title with 4 races remaining is a real achievement! Max is on another planet this year, he dominated this championship with so much maturity, with conviction. »

With the drivers' title in hand, Red Bull will now be able to focus on the constructors' title, which it could win at the next race in Austin. A crown that has eluded him since 2013. “For us, the most important thing will be the constructor’s championship. It's been 8 years since only one team won it and no one can contest it, so I hope we can win it, said Christian Horner. With Checo finishing 2nd today, it’s fantastic for him and for the constructors’ championship too. I am absolutely delighted with the outcome of this race, and I think Max is a deserving champion. »

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