Christian Horner, Red Bull Formula 1 team principal, believes that Max Verstappen had huge burden on himself while driving at his home race.
The team principal thinks the Dutchman must be relieved after winning the race. He believes only a robot is immune to such pressure.
Fomula 1 reinstated the Dutch Grand Prix in 2021 exclusively for wider interest in Max Verstappen across Europe. His fan base has appeared not just in Zandvoort but all across the European venues.
The Dutchman completed his hat-trick of Dutch GP wins on Sunday. The race remained filled with most energetic fans who left no seat unfilled.
Verstappen carrying expectations
Mixed weather put both Verstappen and Red Bull to struggle, while the Dutchman remained in control. He appeared immune to huge pressure as he aced ninth consecutive win, matching Sebastian Vettel’s all-time record.
Incontrast, Horner believed the two times world champion managed to carry the burden of expectation.
“Oh of course, you’d be a robot not to [feel the weight of expectation],” Horner said. “And you could see in his face, you’ve got 100,000 Dutch men and women singing the national anthem.
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“That’s a big moment for him, for any national driver. I think that he’s got the royal family here, coming to see him just before he steps into the car.
“He’s got so much expectation. You have to feel that. And I think it must be a huge relief for him when he leaves the circuit tonight that he’s ticked that box.
“I think the tension always is growing and he’s got a good team around him. He’s not been overworked, overstretched this weekend. He’s treated it like a normal grand prix weekend.”
Horner points to Max’s control
Horner pointed towards Verstappen control on himself during Q1 laps. He appreciated how he managed the race and two high pressure moments.
“There are a couple of points this weekend that really stood out for me. I think there was the first lap in Q1, where he went off in Turn 1. And then he got blocked on the next lap,” Horner explained.
“There’s a black cloud coming, there’s a lot of drivers that would have buckled under the pressure. And he didn’t.
“And then again, having emerged from the pits behind a lot of cars, having to come through the paddock the way he did …
“There’s a lot of drivers that would have buckled under that pressure and he kept his head, and he was phenomenal.”
