Christian Horner slams McLaren for ‘wrong and unfair’ criticism of Max Verstappen – FirstSportz

The race in Austria turned out to be an extremely heated event between Lando Norris And Max VerstappenThe two drivers collided, leading to McLarenteam director, Andrea Stellato claim that Verstappen is replaying the 2021 season again and behaving unsportsmanlike. However, this has infuriated Christian Hornerwho pointed the finger at the Italian for unfairly criticising the Dutchman.

Max Verstappen entered the 2024 season with hopes of winning his fourth consecutive World Drivers’ Championship title. However, as the races went on, Red BullThe team’s lead began to diminish and it became vulnerable to the other teams. For his part, Lando Norris began to emerge as a title contender, and the two giants fought for victory in Austria.

But that battle ended in a collision between the two titans. Andrea Stella then drew similarities with the infamous 2021 season, according to which the Dutchman always crossed the white line to push his rivals out of sight.

He(Max Verstappen) was punished in 2021 if he did something wrong just as Lewis(Hamilton), who he was racing so hard that year, 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(Stella), but that's just tough racing.

Christian Horner said in an interview with Sky Sports

Christian Horner, on the other hand, deplored Stella’s stance and claimed that Verstappen had been punished for his misdeeds in 2021. He then condemned his rival’s comments, deeming them wrong and unfair to attribute such harsh words to a driver.

Christian Horner believes Sprint race is reason for Lando Norris’ impatience

While Horner was critical of Stella, he didn’t miss the opportunity to mention Norris. He said the young Briton needs to learn to fight the reigning champion because the latter is a tough rider and won’t change his riding style.

He then criticised the 24-year-old, saying he was simply hungover after being beaten in the Austrian sprint.

He (Norris) was getting his elbows out, it was two tough races (in Austria) It’s probably a bit of a hangover from (Saturday). Max passed him without DRS into Turn 4 and then he got mugged by his team-mate, so there was probably a little bit of a hangover of that.

Christian Horner said in an interview with RacingNews365

The 50-year-old said Norris had put his elbows out in the sprint and taken the lead. However, his work was quickly overtaken by the Dutchman who passed him without DRS, and to rub salt in the wound, his team-mate passed him at the same corner. Horner said that was why he had the hunger to pass Verstappen in the main race to assert his dominance.

Despite Horner’s firm stance that the collision was a racing incident, the Austrian Grand Prix steward revealed that it was Verstappen’s fault, and he was penalised 10 seconds and given two penalty points on his superlicence.

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