Christian Horner, the team principal for Red Bull, has humorously dismissed Toto Wolff’s suggestion that Max Verstappen is already out of reach in this season’s championship race, even though only four rounds have been completed.
Horner playfully criticized Toto Wolff’s premature judgment of the current Formula 1 season, pointing out that there are still 20 races remaining.
Max Verstappen secured his third victory in the first four races of the 2024 season during the Japanese Grand Prix, crossing the finish line ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez in a commanding win.
Despite facing a setback in the previous round in Australia, where the three-time world champion had to retire and Perez missed the chance to take advantage – not even managing a podium finish – the team based in Milton Keynes has achieved three first and second-place finishes.
Verstappen is currently leading the championship with 77 points, 13 points clear of Perez, while Red Bull leads the Constructors’ Championship with 141 points, 21 points ahead of Ferrari.
The consistency and dominance of Verstappen’s performances in his three wins, adding to his impressive tally from last season, pose a significant challenge for their competitors.
Despite the team’s strong start, Horner remains cautious and seized the moment to lightly tease his longtime rival Wolff.
When questioned at Suzuka about Wolff’s claim that Verstappen is unbeatable this season, Horner remarked, “It’s very early to write off your year, there’s still 20 races to go. I’ve learned not to listen too much to what Toto says over the years.”
The remarkable ease with which Max Verstappen has secured his victories this season is noteworthy, as he appears less physically taxed than his rivals after climbing out of his RB20.
The Dutch driver, who has won 57 races, has effortlessly reached the finish line first in these contests, even when his nearest competitor drove a car of the same caliber.
In Suzuka, the 26-year-old finished a significant 12.5 seconds ahead of his teammate Perez, and the nearest challenger from outside the Red Bull team, Carlos Sainz, trailed by more than 20 seconds in third place.
Horner commented on Verstappen’s condition, stating, “I think he’s in great shape. You know, he’s changed trainer over the winter. He’s he’s fit, he’s lean. And the car is in a great window, and you can hear the capacity, the spare capacity has in the car… is very impressive.”
“The form he had last year has just carried through.”
