Max Verstappen News: F1 boss Christian Horner hits back at Andrea Stella for ‘unfair’ criticism of Red Bull star

Christian Horner hit back at rival Formula 1 boss for ‘unfair’ criticism Max Verstappen.

His response comes as the fallout from Sunday’s action-packed Austrian Grand Prix continues to dominate headlines.

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George Russell claims second career F1 victory at the Red Bull Ring, but the Mercedes Star’s triumph tells only half the story of what was a thrilling race.

The Briton was the beneficiary of a late collision between Verstappen and his championship rival Lando Norris as the top two went wheel to wheel in pursuit of a vital victory.

The couple got together as Verstappen defended a daring overtake of his McLaren counterpart on lap 64, both suffering punctures as a result.

The reigning champion was able to recover and secure a 5th place, while Norris was forced to retire as he fell further behind in the race. Drivers ranking.

Verstappen-Norris conflict ‘intensifies’

Although penalized for his role in the incidentVerstappen remained defiant after the race, much to the frustration of Norris who suggested that their friendship was under threat.

McLaren team boss Andrea Stella supported his leading man, suggesting that a similar incident involving Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton In 2021 he played a key role in the FIA’s decision not to apply a harsher sanction.

Talk to Sky SportsHorner admitted he understood the Italian’s frustrations but insisted he was wrong to bring up previous collisions.

“He raced incredibly hard in 2021, he’s a tough rider, and he hasn’t really raced with anyone in two years because he’s been in front so much,” Horner said.

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“The conflict between the two men built over two, three, four races where they were battling it out in a tight, fierce manner, and at some point it was always going to boil over – and that’s what happened at Turn 3.

“He was punished in 2021 if he did something wrong, just like Lewis, who he was racing so hard against that year, was punished for things he did wrong.

“I think it’s wrong and unfair to label a driver like that and I’m sure in the heat of the moment it was frustrating for Andrea, but it’s just a tough race.

“He worked with Michael Schumacher (has Ferrari) for so many years – he of all people should know that.”

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