Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has opened up about Max Verstappen's emotional response to the criticism he faced during the 2024 Formula 1 season, revealing that the Dutch driver was more sensitive to the backlash than he publicly let on. Verstappen, who clinched his fourth consecutive World Championship in Las Vegas with two rounds to spare, was widely regarded as the standout driver of the season, despite facing significant challenges with his car’s performance mid-year.
The 2024 season saw Verstappen dominate early on, but his Red Bull car was not the fastest for a large portion of the campaign, allowing his closest rival, Lando Norris, to put up a serious challenge. The two were involved in a series of intense on-track battles, including a notable incident in Austria where Verstappen and Norris collided. The crash caused terminal damage to Norris’ McLaren, leading to Verstappen receiving a 10-second penalty. The rivalry continued to escalate, and Verstappen faced criticism for his aggressive driving during subsequent races in Austin and Mexico.
Although Verstappen appeared to brush off the criticism from the media, fans, and his peers, Horner revealed that it affected him more deeply than it seemed. "He's more sensitive than you think," Horner said, adding that Verstappen was very much aware of the criticism, some of which he felt was unjust. Horner went on to defend his driver, saying, "He's an aggressive, attacking driver. So was [Ayrton] Senna, so was [Michael] Schumacher, and so was [Lewis] Hamilton. All of them faced similar scrutiny during their careers."
Despite the external pressures, Verstappen’s commitment to his craft remained unwavering. After the summer break, Red Bull and Verstappen faced a difficult period where the car’s handling issues led to a 10-race winless streak. During this time, Verstappen and the team had to dig deep to resolve the issues and regain their competitive edge. The situation was particularly challenging because Verstappen, once the hunter, found himself in the unfamiliar position of being pursued by Norris and McLaren.
Horner praised Verstappen's resilience and work ethic throughout this period. "What he's really done this year has absolutely cemented his position amongst the greats in the sport," Horner said. Verstappen, he explained, was not driven by fame or public adulation, but rather by his love for driving fast cars. "He doesn’t crave adulation. He just loves driving fast cars," Horner said, emphasizing that Verstappen’s passion for the sport and his relentless drive to improve were key to his success.
Behind the scenes, Verstappen was putting in more effort than ever before, working closely with engineers, designers, and on the simulator to address the car’s issues. Horner described Verstappen's collaboration with the technical team as "phenomenal," noting that his leadership and focus were instrumental in overcoming the mid-season struggles. "The way he's conducted himself, the way he's worked with the engineers and all the technical staff has been phenomenal," Horner said.
Ultimately, Verstappen’s emotional release upon crossing the finish line in Las Vegas reflected the immense effort and pressure he had been under. It was a moment of personal triumph for the driver, who had endured not only the physical and mental toll of the season but also the weight of the criticism that came with his aggressive driving style. For Horner, Verstappen’s performance in 2024 solidified his place among Formula 1's all-time greats, and the Red Bull boss was quick to point out that Verstappen had been "head and shoulders the best driver on the grid."
In conclusion, while Verstappen's aggressive driving style and his battles with Norris earned him his fair share of criticism throughout the season, his unwavering dedication, resilience, and technical brilliance were key factors in his continued success. Horner’s comments shed light on the emotional toll the season took on Verstappen and offered a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes effort that contributed to his fourth title. With the 2024 championship now securely in his grasp, Verstappen has firmly established himself as one of the sport’s greats.
