Christian Horner claims reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen is ‘uncomfortable with a level of fame’ 

Max Verstappen is known worldwide for his accomplishments in Formula 1, winning three championships in a row in dominant fashion.

Christian Horner claims reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen is ‘uncomfortable with a level of fame’ 

Christian Horner and Max Verstappen (image via F1)

Max Verstappen is the reigning champion, having won the past three championships in a row with a record tally of wins scored in 2023. The Dutchman has reached an international audience, with his name known internationally due to his success in motorsport. Verstappen is also responsible for boosting viewership for the sport, as an ex-AlphaTauri manager even claimed he outright “saved” it.

With such success comes fame, and Verstappen is unaccustomed to the level of fame he is currently experiencing. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner revealed that Verstappen is uncomfortable with a certain amount of fame, preferring to focus on his racing career than use it as a proponent to his popularity.

As a person, he's just a really nice 26-year-old young man that is passionate about his racing, uncomfortable with a level of fame or notoriety that he has now and just wants to do his job - race the car hard.
Christian Horner said, via mirror.co.uk

Verstappen is currently the highest-paid F1 driver as well, due to his increasing show of talent and success in the sport. The Dutchman will be the one to watch out for in 2024, as the RB20 threatens to be even more dominant than its predecessor was in 2023.

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Christian Horner stresses urgency of developing Red Bull Powertrains

Red Bull had a deal with Honda, keeping the Japanese company as their engine supplies until the end of the 2021 season. Post 2021, Honda signed a four-year deal with Red Bull to continue supplying engines under the name Red Bull Powertrains until Red Bull finished work on producing their own.

Red Bull's Christian Horner
Red Bull’s Christian Horner (via IMAGO)

The deal with Honda will end ahead of the 2026 season which is ever closer, bringing major changes to the F1 grid. WIth the RBPT just 24 months away from being installed, Christian Horner highlighted the importance of getting work on it completed as soon as possible.

It’s busy, there’s 24 months before that engine will be being bolted into the back of the RB22. It’s not that long in the engine world so there’s still an awful lot more to do in a very short period of time. But I’m confident that we’ve got the right people, and we can get there.
Christian Horner said, via PlanetF1

Honda will return in 2026 as an engine supplier for Aston Martin after their separation from Red Bull as a whole. The Japanese manufacturer was a former team as a manufacturer until 2008 before being bought by Brawn GP in 2009, which was subsequently bought by Mercedes.

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