Christian Horner praised both of his drivers after the British Grand Prix after seeing Max Verstappen claim his second consecutive podium and Daniel Ricciardo finish fourth to close the gap to Ferrari in the constructors championship still further.
The Red Bull Racing team boss praised Verstappen for his move on Nico Rosberg when the track was still wet in places as the Dutchman swept around the outside of the German at Becketts, a place not usually regarded as an overtaking spot.
“A fantastic race at our local track and a real fighting drive from Max,” said Horner. “The highlight of which was passing Rosberg round the outside in Becketts.
“Unfortunately we didn’t quite have enough pace in the dry conditions to stay ahead but it was very satisfying to get both cars to the finish in third [Verstappen would move into second when Rosberg took his post-race time penalty] and fourth.
Horner also felt that Ricciardo’s afternoon would have been much smoother had he not lost time during the Virtual Safety Car that saw him drop behind the Force India of Sergio Perez, who had taken the opportunity to pit when the VSC was deployed, losing less time that he would have done under green flag conditions.
“Daniel was unfortunate in losing a little bit of time under the Virtual Safety Car, he pitted at the optimum time and managed to clear [Sergio] Perez but the lead group was just too far down the road,” said Horner.
Just six points now separate Red Bull from Ferrari in second place in the Constructors’ Championship, and Horner was delighted to see the competitiveness of the RB12 be seen in all its glory at Silverstone, even if they had no answer for the dry weather pace of Mercedes.
“Plenty of points in the Constructors’ Championship and a great result in front of so many staff from our factory just down the road from here, and we may get better yet,” reflected Horner.
“We look forward to Hungary in two weeks’ time and racing a track that hopefully will play to our strengths.”
