Verstappen's Criticism Prompt Horner to React

Christian Horner plans to discuss Max Verstappen’s recent public criticisms of Red Bull in a private meeting.

Christian Horner, team principal at Red Bull, has confirmed he will hold private talks with Max Verstappen regarding his criticism of the team and his colorful language during a turbulent Hungarian Grand Prix.

The three-time F1 champion frequently expressed his frustration during the 70-lap race at the Hungaroring, concerning the car, track situations, and particularly the team strategy, which led to occasionally tense exchanges with his engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, nicknamed GP.

At the end, Verstappen crossed the line in fifth place after a collision on the 63rd lap with Lewis Hamilton in his Mercedes as he fought for third place.

Remarkably, the Dutch driver’s RB20 survived a heavy impact upon landing after the rear was thrown into the air, and although an investigation was initiated for causing a collision, the stewards opted to take no action as neither driver was wholly or predominantly to blame for the incident.

Exiting the car after the race, and before seeing the stewards, Verstappen continued to mince no words, criticizing his team again while telling all those who criticize him to “go fuck themselves.”

This reprehensible behavior towards Red Bull, the media, the FIA, and even the fans was shocking! Therefore, it was logical for Christian Horner to be questioned about this behavior, which many already deem unacceptable.

“Max was frustrated, which you can understand,” Horner replies when asked if Verstappen had exaggerated in his comments, both on the radio and in the media.

“For the radio… he has a very direct line of communication with his engineer [Lambiase]. That’s something they will discuss between themselves.”

Verstappen had already criticized his team after Saturday’s qualifying, stating that people within the team were not pulling in the same direction and that some were not recognizing the team’s issues.

“Everyone sees that we need to find more performance, and everyone is working hard to achieve that.”

“We will have all these discussions behind closed doors.”

Horner made it a point to defend Lambiase, as at one point, when Verstappen again made a critical comment following the incident with Hamilton, he described his driver’s attitude as “childish.”

“At that moment, GP wasn’t referring to Max, I don’t believe. GP was referring to others [Mercedes] on the radio complaining about a penalty. So I don’t think GP’s adjective at that time referred to Max.”

“Others are obviously looking to draw penalties, as the stewards are also listening to the radio.”

“But listen, they’re grown-ups, they’ve been together for eight years, and… yes, there are things we could have done better in the race, but that’s still something we will talk about as a team, internally.”

Isn’t Horner tired of seeing Red Bull demeaned when Verstappen fails to prevail?

“We will discuss all that internally,” the Brit concludes soberly.