Red Bull team principal Christian Horner revealed Bernie Ecclestone told him Max Verstappen’s drive at Interlagos was “one of the very best I’ve ever seen” over the weekend.
Verstappen rose
from 17th on the grid to win the race in challenging conditions throughout on
Sunday, in a performance that has been widely lauded by drivers and pundits
alike – with former F1 supremo Ecclestone adding his name to the list via phone
call with the Red Bull boss.
Christian Horner reveals Bernie Ecclestone call after Max
Verstappen victory at Interlagos
Former F1 chief executive Ecclestone, who turned 94 last
week, was present in Sao Paulo to watch what would become a thrilling race on
Sunday.
Qualifying was delayed until Sunday morning after a
downpour on Saturday meant qualifying was unsafe to run, but after being
knocked out in Q2, coupled with a five-place grid penalty, Verstappen worked
his way up through the field and, after a ‘free’ pit stop under red flag
conditions, resumed the race in second place midway through proceedings.
He overtook Esteban Ocon for the lead by lap 40 and did
not look back from there, opening up a 19-second lead by the time the chequered
flag was waved to extend his World
Championship lead to 62 points.
When asked after the race in Brazil if Verstappen can be
considered the best driver Formula 1 has ever had, Horner revealed that he
received a call from Ecclestone to say his drive on Sunday was right up there
with what he had seen in the past.
“I think, look, it’s difficult to make those calls about
generation to generation,” Horner said.
“Bernie rang me after the race and said, ‘I’ve seen all the
greats, but that’s one of the very best I’ve ever seen.’
“So he’s a bit older than I am, and seen a bit more, so high
credit from someone like him.”
Verstappen made up six places on the first lap alone, which
became seven when he moved past Lewis Hamilton at Turn 1 on the second lap –
putting him in the points-paying positions shortly after starting the race
almost at the very back of the field.
Much had been made of how Verstappen had defended against
Lando Norris in the previous round in Mexico City, which earned him 20 seconds’
worth of time penalties – but Horner believed this response was one of
Verstappen’s best performances to date.
“I think the best response is to do your talking on the
track, and that’s what he’s done today,” Horner said.
.webp)
