Christian Horner, Red Bull's team principal, has backed Max Verstappen's assessment of the team's challenges during the 2024 Formula 1 season.
Despite Verstappen clinching his fourth drivers’ title by a comfortable 63-point margin over McLaren’s Lando Norris, Red Bull’s season was far from smooth.
McLaren emerged as the top team in the constructors’ standings, while Red Bull slipped to third, marking a mixed year for the Milton Keynes-based squad.
Verstappen had asserted that Red Bull did not have the fastest car for 70 percent of the season. Reflecting on this claim, Horner told the media: “I would say that’s about right. Since Miami, I would say that was a turning point.
“The car was very difficult to drive, but he was able to adapt and get the most out of it.”
Horner acknowledged that the team improved its performance in the latter stages of the season but admitted there were moments, such as around the Monza Grand Prix, where their championship hopes seemed to be slipping away.
Red Bull’s strong start to the year gave way to struggles as McLaren and other rivals stepped up. However, Verstappen’s remarkable consistency and adaptability ensured his championship lead remained secure.
“Max has been the outstanding driver, absolutely,” Horner stated. “He’s part of the team; you win as a team, and you lose as a team.
“He’s absolutely inspired within the cockpit and has head and shoulders been the best driver on the grid.”
While McLaren took the honors in the constructors’ championship, Red Bull will look to regroup and bounce back as they prepare for the 2025 campaign.
