Max Verstappen ended a win-less streak for the Red Bull Racing team stretching back to the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix by taking victory during the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, and Team Principal Christian Horner was quick to praise the teenage Dutchman.
Verstappen used a two-stop strategy to perfection to take the victory on his Red Bull debut, having switched across from Scuderia Toro Rosso following the Russian Grand Prix, with Daniil Kvyat moving the other way.
Horner remarked that the team had a tough decision to make regarding strategy, with the team deciding to run two stops for Verstappen and three stops for Daniel Ricciardo, a decision that ultimately ruled the Australian out of the battle for the win after he had led the early stages of the Grand Prix.
“A quite remarkable day for Max Verstappen who, on his debut for the team, has become the youngest ever race winner after producing an exemplary drive,” said Horner.
“After the first lap incident between the Mercedes, we were in a great position to get some points, but to take on the Ferraris who had a very fast race car was always going to be difficult.
“We had to make some difficult decisions in the race, as it wasn’t clear whether the two or the three stop was going to be quickest, so we elected to split the strategies.
“We felt that the two stop was right at the limit, but Max made the tyres last and didn’t make any mistakes to score a very impressive victory.
“Daniel was obviously coming back through the field with much younger tyres, but unfortunately picked up a puncture with a couple of laps to go; otherwise I am sure he would have been on the podium too.
“But, there’s a lot to look forward to and it’s great to be back on the top step of the podium.”
