Formula 1

Horner hails Verstappen’s composure in controlling the race and Pérez’s impressive overtaking skills

Published

2 months ago

02/04/2023

Horner hails Verstappen composure australian f1 2023

Red Bull Racing’s Christian Horner had modest expectations heading into the Australian Grand Prix, but his team surpassed them in spectacular fashion.

Christian Horner had hoped for a victory and an eighth place finish prior to the Australian Grand Prix. However, the Red Bull team principal exceeded his expectations as Max Verstappen secured the win and Sergio Pérez finished fifth in a tumultuous race.

Horner stated that it was a crazy race from start to finish, but his team was able to perform well. Verstappen initially fell behind the two Mercedes cars at the start, and then there was a Safety Car period which eventually turned into a red flag. Afterwards, Verstappen managed to overtake Lewis Hamilton and take control of the race. Horner expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance.

Horner also mentioned that there was another incident and subsequent restart, but thankfully his team was able to execute a good restart. This resulted in Red Bull achieving their first victory in Australia since 2011, with Pérez also delivering a strong performance by climbing up from 20th position to fifth place and setting the fastest lap of the race.

Despite the RB19’s superior performance, Red Bull did not have an easy race. Horner acknowledged that the race was complicated, with multiple red flags splitting it into three parts and causing concerns. The team did not get off to a good start initially, but Verstappen was able to maintain his position after the restart and fight with Hamilton for the lead. From there, Verstappen was able to control the race.

Horner acknowledged that while safety is the top priority, the late race restart was a bit frustrating for the team. Fortunately, it did not affect their performance as Verstappen had a good pace and was in top form. Overall, Red Bull was very pleased with their performance and excited to secure a victory in their 350th race on a track where they had not won in 10 years.

Horner praised Verstappen’s performance, especially towards the end of the race when his lead was wiped out. Horner described it as a difficult situation where they were controlling the race with a ten-second lead, only for it to become a lottery once again due to the restart. However, Verstappen remained composed and made a good start, avoiding any incidents happening behind him.

Horner also commended Pérez’s attack to climb up the field, saying that his move on Kevin Magnussen was impressive. He praised Pérez for his courageous overtakes, noting that he has always been a fantastic competitor and showcased that once again in this race. Horner described Pérez’s performance as phenomenal, with him setting the fastest lap of the race and finishing in 5th place.

Horner acknowledged that Pérez’s comeback was not as spectacular as Verstappen’s in Jeddah, but he pointed out that Melbourne is a difficult track for overtaking compared to the previous two races. Despite this, Pérez did a good job with his performance and showed his skills as a driver.

The F1 now enters a three-week break before heading to Azerbaijan, where the first sprint race will take place. Horner acknowledged the potential risks involved in the new format and emphasized the importance of the break to recharge the batteries. He also mentioned that the Australian Grand Prix is a demanding event for everyone involved, and the break provides an opportunity to rest and celebrate Easter by indulging in some Easter eggs.

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