Horner Confident that Verstappen has his Season on Track

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes that Max Verstappen is finally getting his season back on track. His Spanish GP podium finish will serve as a confidence booster after a difficult start to the year.

Verstappen managed to hold off Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel for third at the Circuit de Catalunya. It was his first podium in the 2018 F1 season, what made the feat even more amazing was that his car sustained damage.

The 20-year-old has been very feisty in the first 4 races and collided with a number of drivers, teammate included. Now, Red Bull team principal Horner thinks today’s result will give Verstappen a much needed break.

“It’s a great booster for Max to stand on the podium for the first time this year,” Horner said. “He’s had a difficult start to the season, so starting a new chapter in Europe I think will really settle him and send him on his way.”

Kimi Raikkonen’s retirement and a change in Ferrari’s strategy for Vettel, played right into Max’s hands.

Max Verstappen and team-mate Daniel Ricciardo locked out the third row of the grid for the race. They were behind the two Mercedes and Ferraris respectively. Horner admitted that Red Bull’s lack of qualifying pace was coming back to haunt them.

“I think we had a very fast race car again today. Our problem is we have got to do a better job on Saturdays, we have got to get further up the grid,” Horner said.

“Starting fifth and sixth, you are in the dirty air, you’re in the mess at the start, and I think if we can just get a little higher up the grid then bigger results are going to come.”

Looking ahead to Monaco in two weeks’ time, Horner hopes Red Bull can take the fight to the top 2 teams. The Austrian marquee will be hoping to take advantage of the street circuit’s twists and turns to be in the hunt for pole and victory.

“We’re looking forward to Monaco. The car has been strong in sector three which is usually a good indication for a track like Monaco. Both drivers have always gone well around there. It’s an opportunity for us.”