Horner "excited" after brilliant race from Verstappen in Melbourne
After the season-opening race at Melbourne, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner insisted that Max Verstappen performed a brilliant drive on a weekend when McLaren “were super strong.”
Following a strong showing in qualifying, Max Verstappen overtook Oscar Piastri at the start only to put pressure on Lando Norris.
However, the Dutchman was unable to keep up with the McLaren as tyre degradation kicked in, and he started to drop back after Piastri retook P2.
When the late rain arrived, he stayed out and inherited the lead, but with more rain coming in, he was also forced to pit, losing the lead to Norris. Despite the slight setback, he wound up a still very decent second which was a promising result on a weekend when McLaren clearly looked the dominant force.
Lawson was eager to make his way back through the field, but spun and hit the wall in the dying stages of the race, ended his first race for Red Bull in a disappointing fashion.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has been left delighted by Verstappen’s great performance and result in Melbourne given McLaren's dominant form that the Woking-based rivals showed all through the Australian Grand Prix weekend.
“That was a great race. It was always going to be tricky in those conditions. I think strategically we called it right; Max had a very good start but the McLarens at that time were super strong and pulled out a gap.
“Then the rain came and we made the right call to get out on the slicks at the right time and we took a slight gamble to get the over cut. It nearly worked and then we had the restart and Max so very nearly stole it off Lando.
“Credit to him and McLaren though, they stuck it out and took the victory. It was not the start Liam would have wanted this weekend. Luck was not on his side. He is a strong driver though and will already be on his way to preparing for China; bouncing back.
“All in all, it was a good start to the season at a track we traditionally do not perform well at. China will be a bit more measured and will be a chance to see a truer reflection of performance. Excited to see what comes.”
