Christian Horner admits he is still ‘recovering’ from Lewis Hamilton’s 2021 title charge against Max Verstappen

The 2021 F1 world championship saw Max Verstappen win his maiden title ahead of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen at the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP (Image credit: Sporting News)

Max Verstappen is on course for a third World title, setting records like most wins in a season, including his own. The Dutchman is a dominant force in F1 and is on track to equal Sebastian Vettel’s record for most consecutive wins set in 2013. But his 2021 victory was unique—engaging in a thrilling, at times intense battle with Lewis Hamilton for the World title, both on and off the track.

Max Verstappen underwent hospital checks after Hamilton’s high-speed maneuver at Copse in the British GP. At Monza, he car landed on Hamilton, who luckily avoided injury. Their intense championship battle, with 14 1-2 finishes, reached a thrilling climax in Abu Dhabi, where Verstappen’s last-lap pass secured the Drivers’ title in a breathtaking season finale.

Christian Horner, the Red Bull team boss, expressed his delight at the remarkable statistics. He stated that witnessing a driver’s exceptional superiority in Formula 1 is a rare occurrence. The Brit considered himself fortunate to experience such a phenomenon as a team boss. Unlike fans and competitors who enjoyed the excitement of the Verstappen-Hamilton title fight in 2021, Horner revealed that he is still recovering from that experience, chuckling as he spoke.

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“What we currently see is very rare in Formula 1 – that a driver is so superior. I consider myself very lucky that I can experience something like this as a team boss. I am still recovering from this today,” Horner is qouter by F1 Insider.com.

Also read: Toto Wolff admits he is still hurt over the ‘dishonest and corrupted’ 2021 Abu Dhabi GP

Max Verstappen is on the verge of breaking Sebastian Vettel’s 10-year record

Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen (Image credit: Sportskeeda)

Following the dramatic clash of 2021, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes experienced a period of struggle due to the 2022 regulation changes. In contrast, Red Bull assumed dominance, comfortably securing both world titles in 2022. This year, they are well-positioned to repeat their success, with Verstappen expected to secure his third championship.

After the initial four races of the 2023 season, fans eagerly anticipated a rivalry between Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, each boasting two wins. However, as the season progressed, Perez’s chances gradually faded. Currently, Verstappen maintains an impressive 125-point lead, having won eight consecutive races. Meanwhile, Perez seems to have come to the reality that he is destined for second place in the championship.

Max Verstappen has now won an incredible eight races in a row.

He's only one away from equalling Sebastian Vettel's all-time record of nine ? pic.twitter.com/tcXqYvoXWk
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) July 30, 2023

Max Verstappen’s streak continued at the Belgian GP, claiming his 10th win this season, an impressive eight in a row. Red Bull’s dominance remains unmatched, with a perfect 12 out of 12 wins this year. They now lead McLaren by two in the record for consecutive victories, breaking a 35-year-old record in Hungary.