Red Bull racing team principal Christian Horner has responded to McLaren driver Lando Norris' claims about Max Verstappen after the Brazilian Grand Prix.
On Sunday afternoon, reigning F1 champion Verstappen dealt a huge blow to rival Norris after coming back from 17th on the grid to win the Brazilian GP.
After the race, Norris spoke about the result and claimed that the Dutchman had won the race due to luck instead of talent, leading to outrage online.
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And now, Red Bull team principal Horner has responded to Norris and given his own opinion on Verstappen's performance at the race.
Speaking after the race, Horner praised his driver and made a bold claim about where he stands among the greatest Formula One drivers of all time.
“For him to have gone out there and won that race, it was an outstanding drive. He was patient and he attacked when he needed to. Truly an outstanding drive," the team principal told Sky Sports.
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"I think in the wet and the dry he’s the best in the world at the moment.
"Max is invaluable. It's impossible to put a number on that. That was a champion's drive."
He continued: "There's some great drivers out there, but to stand out and shine like that today, that marks him out, I think, with some of the greats now.
"The way he's driven, and even when we've had a difficult car this year, he's never given up. He's gone about collecting the points, he's always trying to get maximum out of the car."
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Horner's comments come after Verstappen's rival Norris appeared to discredit the Dutch driver's performance, suggesting it was more to do with his luck in the race rather than any talent or ability.
Speaking after the race, Norris said: “That’s life sometimes. you take a gamble (waiting for a red flag for a ‘free pitstop’), it’s paid off for them. it’s not talent, it’s just luck”
The impressive result takes Verstappen's lead at the top of the championship table to 62 points, meaning Norris will have to outscore his rival by a huge 21 points per race weekend in order to win his first title.
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With just three Grand Prix and one sprint race remaining this season, it seems an almost completely insurmountable task for the Brit to achieve.
Topics: Formula 1, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris
Ben McCrum