Christian Horner commented on Jos Verstappen’s criticism to Red Bull’s strategy in Monaco that did not favor his son, saying fathers are never totally objective.
Verstappen senior was not happy with how Red Bull ran their strategy in the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix, claiming it did not favor his son Max who finished third, while Sergio Perez took the win.
Christian Horner said afterwards that the team isn’t “Verstappen Racing”, but Red Bull Racing, and in Baku, he was asked about the subject.
“Dads and fathers are never totally objective,” Horner told Sky Sports F1. “What wasn’t apparent was all of the information that we have during a race.
“If Max had pitted, then he would have come out behind I think George at the time,” he revealed.
Jos has got his own opinions
“Jos is his own person and personality,” Horner went on. “He’s got opinions and that’s absolutely fine, that’s his opinion. The reality for us was obviously slightly different… it’s no issue.”
The Red Bull boss insisted that track position will decide which driver will be favored, which in Monaco’s was with Perez, as Verstappen was strangely off the pace that weekend.
“The No 1 driver is the driver that’s ahead, it’s as simple as that,” he insisted. “That’s why Checo got the call on the pit stop, Max wouldn’t even have had track position for example on that lap.
“But, our fight isn’t between the two drivers, we’ve got a very competitive Ferrari with two fast drivers in it,” the Briton warned.
“Collectively as a team, we’ve got to take the fight and take the challenge to Ferrari, who are looking very quick this year,” he maintained.
Horner went on the record saying that Red Bull do not mind whether Perez or Verstappen become Champions at the end of the 2022, so it would be interesting to see how they manage two fast drivers, both within a shot at the Title.