Horner Praises Verstappen’s Resilience Amidst Red Bull Turmoil
Summary
Christian Horner praised Max Verstappen's determination and resilience in clinching the 2024 Formula 1 title, despite significant challenges with the car. After a strong season start, Verstappen endured a nine-race winless streak; yet, his consistent performance and strategic mindset enabled him to secure the championship by consistently finishing in the top six. Horner highlighted the important role Verstappen played in providing technical feedback during tough times, leading to improvements in car performance.
The 2024 season was tumultuous for Red Bull, marked by an internal investigation surrounding Horner and struggles on the track, including a decline in performance from Sergio Perez. Nevertheless, the team managed to maintain a strong championship presence and even achieved victories. Looking ahead, Horner announced the promotion of Liam Lawson to partner with Verstappen for the 2025 season following Perez's departure. Lawson's racecraft and resilience were key factors in his selection over Yuki Tsunoda, and he expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to learn from Verstappen, whose effective communication with engineers was vital in navigating the challenges of the season.