Christian Horner describes Max Verstappen as a man with a thirst for domination
After a dazzling season, Max Verstappen was highly praised by his manager Christian Horner.
The 2023 season of Max Verstappen was idyllic. The Dutch driver swept everything in his path with 19 Grand Prix victories in a single season. Symbol of an exceptional year, the 26-year-old athlete was crowned for the 3rd time in Qatar in October, five races before the end of the season.
With a total of 575 points, he is ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez, world vice-champion, by 290 points. Even more impressive statistics, Max Verstappen has won, on his own, 166 more points than Mercedes, ranked second in the constructors’ standings.
A driver never sated
Thanks to his 2023 season, Max Verstappen now has 54 Grand Prix victories. Over the course of the year, he also led 1,003 race laps. His adaptability and ability to get the most out of a car, as well as his self-confidence and determination, are his strongest assets, analysed Christian Horner. « You see it over and over again, whether it’s on an outside or inside lap, or in the first round of Free 1. Despite changing conditions, he has this ability to adapt and become one with the car. It’s beyond anything we’ve ever seen before. »
Reflecting a season where he won everything, Max Verstappen gives the image of a driver who always wants more. The Dutchman never slowed down in 2023, be it from fatigue or after his championship win. Despite his title in Qatar, the triple World Champion won all the races after his title, handily. He leaves nothing on the table and wants to win everything, declared the director of the Austrian team. « This animates and motivates the team internally and he is relentless in his quest for performance. He doesn’t just want to win, but he wants to dominate. Like all great athletes, the pursuit of excellence and domination are the hallmark of his exceptional talent. »
Perez seems to have paid the price
Max Verstappen has been so dominant that his teammate Sergio Perez seems to have been discouraged. Since the Dutchman’s victory at the Miami Grand Prix, the 33-year-old driver is struggling and gives the image of a big lack of confidence. In 2023, the ratio is 19 victories for Max Verstappen and only two for the Mexican, with equal cars.
Even though he was largely dominated, Sergio Perez tried to make a comeback. At the end of the season, he even sent out a more positive image with two consistent weekends and two podiums. Together, the two drivers allowed Red Bull to score 575 points in the championship.
