Horner details Verstappen role in Red Bull misery

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has stated Max Verstappen is “not panicking” amid the squad’s run of lacklustre form.

Verstappen has failed to reach the top step of the podium since the Spanish Grand Prix in June, resulting in his lead in the drivers’ championship narrowing to 62 points over Lando Norris. The margin was once 84.

Red Bull, however, has struggled with its car of late while McLaren has continued to compete at the front of the field, leading to the gap in the constructors’ standings being whittled down to just eight points.

Horner detailed how Verstappen has stepped up to the challenge by lengthy communications with engineers and undertaking simulator duties.

“What’s really impressed me with Max is how he’s really engaged in this process,” said Horner. 

“He’s not panicking. He’s working with the engineers. He’s explaining very clearly where the issues are. He’s putting the time and effort in.”

Speaking directly after the Italian Grand Prix in which Verstappen finished sixth after qualifying seventh, Horner confirmed Verstappen had been in early that morning.

Horner added: “He was on Zoom calls last week, [and] he’ll be on the simulator before the next race. 

“He’s really working hard at this. I think he’s shown great maturity as a world champion, the way he’s working with the engineering team.”

Horner hailed Red Bull’s engineering team as he backed it to lift it from the struggles it has been enduring.

“Nobody likes the situation we’re in at the moment,” he said. “Nobody is happy with it. 

“We’ve got to work really hard to turn it around. But the one thing this team has is strength in depth and talent. And we’ll come back.”