Christian Horner, the Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, enjoyed yet another successful Grand Prix weekend in Suzuka for the team, with Max Verstappen finishing in a strong second position and Daniel Ricciardo in sixth.
He first complimented the young driver Verstappen, who enjoyed his sixth podium of the season.
“A fantastic drive by Max today. A very mature performance, moving into second place and then really looking after his tyres resisting pressure initially from Sebastian and then at the end of the race from Lewis, with some great racing.”
Horner did not appear concerned by the criticism that Verstappen received about his defending move on Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, instead commenting that “it was fantastic to see him split the Mercedes and achieve our eighth second place of the year.”
However, last weekend’s race winner Ricciardo struggled in the race, finishing only sixth behind both Ferrari’s.
“For Daniel it was a harder race, he struggled in particular it seemed in sector two of the circuit and we need to look at the data very closely to understand why,” admitted Horner.
“He was disadvantaged at the start, beginning on the damp side of the track but nonetheless he drove a very controlled race to bring the car home in sixth and secure valuable points towards our position in the Constructors’ Championship.”
Horner also extended his congratulations to Mercedes AMG Petronas, who won their third consecutive Constructor’s Championship.
“Our congratulations go to Mercedes for securing their third consecutive Championship, a fine achievement.”
