F1: He’s raised it to another level

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner heaped praise on Max Verstappen and the rest of the squad after the Dutchman sealed a “truly special” 2022 championship win at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Called ‘Mad Max’ by some earlier in his career because of his aggressive driving, but the boy who made his F1 debut at the age of 17, guided to greatness by the firm hand of his father and former racer Jos, has grown into an unstoppable force.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the race, Horner said: “It’s beyond all our dreams. Max has been truly, truly dominant [this season]. We came back from some difficulties in the first couple of races, but honestly, he and the team have just raised it to another level.

Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner in complete awe of Max Verstappen after the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Racing Course on October 09, 2022 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

“I’m incredibly proud of everything he’s done, everything the team [has done] – all the men and women back in Milton Keynes have gone way and beyond under massive pressure. To achieve this championship is truly special.”

“It’s an amazing thing for Honda to win this here as well. That’s why we sent Asaki-san (Yasuaki Asaki), a long-time member of the Honda group, to go and get the constructors’ trophy for us today,” said Horner.

Race winner and 2022 F1 World Drivers Champion Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates with Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Racing Course on October 09, 2022 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

“Some of the drives have been just simply outstanding this year under enormous pressure,” Horner told reporters.

“He’s just constantly delivered.”

“Unbelievable,” said Dr. Helmut Marko. “Once Max gets in clean air he’s gone. It’s been incredible watching Max Verstappen’s development at Red Bull.”

SIMPLY SUPERB

Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s technical head who has designed a string of title-winning cars for three teams in his decades in the sport, said Verstappen had been simply superb.

“In the traffic in Singapore he made a little mistake, but apart from that he’s made no mistakes and he’s always had the speed. He thoroughly deserves all the success he’s having this year,” the Briton told Sky Sports television.

Verstappen suffered two retirements from the first three races but has otherwise finished all but two rounds in the top three.

He has had an impressive car, with Red Bull nailing the radical rules introduced this year, and has benefited from reliability woes, strategic missteps, and errors derailing Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc’s title challenge.

Charles Leclerc also saluted Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for wrapping up his second F1 world title at the Japanese Grand Prix, which was confirmed after the Ferrari driver picked up a penalty.

“A huge congratulations to Max for his second world championship. It’s obviously frustrating today, the pace was not there after four laps, but it’s like this,” said Leclerc, who expanded on some tire-related struggles.

Charles Leclerc congratulates Max Verstappen after the race

“From Lap 5 onwards, it was all downhill. [I was] really struggling with tires; a bit like the last race, we are very strong warming up the tire, but then after three, four laps, we just destroy them, [so] we struggled this time.

“I think Max’s title this year was just a matter of time, really – we expected him to win the title. Now we need to use those last races in order to become a better team and hopefully put in a bit more of a challenge next year,” he signed off.”