Horner issues strong Verstappen defence after FIA insult

Christian Horner has defended Max Verstappen after he insulted the FIA stewards in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, calling them “stupid idiots.”

Verstappen was handed a 10-second time penalty for colliding with Oscar Piastri at Turn 1 on the opening lap, and was then handed two penalty points on his superlicence, taking him to 8 for the 12-month period, with 12 triggering a ban.

His next batch of points are not due to come off until after the Austrian GP in June 2025, meaning he faces 11 races nearing a race ban. 

Horner defended Verstappen’s comments, but was also presented with his own words stemming from his reaction to Sebastian Vettel’s foul-mouthed outburst at the 2016 Mexican Grand Prix, directed towards then race-director, the late Charlie Whiting.

“I’m sure in any sport, there will always be frustration from players in the heat of the moment when you are delivered a message about a penalty like that,” Horner told media including RacingNews365.

“If footballers had a microphone on, then I am sure there’d be a few choice words as well.

Horner was then presented with his comments towards Vettel’s outburst after receiving a penalty in 2016 where the Red Bull chief had said: “But in any sport, what you can’t do is give abuse to the referee.”

“Well, look, I mean, circumstances change, but drivers don’t and sometimes I do feel that it is very unfair,” he responded. 

“We hear all drivers rant and rave, and sometimes we hear team principals rant and rave occasionally too, and it is a little unfair.

“One of the benefits of this sport is the access given, you would never find a camera or microphone in a football or rugby changing room or a team talk with microphones in their faces before they get on the grid or when they get out of the car.

“It is unique and sometimes not every message is necessarily needed to be broadcast.”