Christian Horner picks top highlight from Red Bull F1 history

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has labelled Max Verstappen's triumph in the 2021 title fight as the greatest highlight in the squad's history.

Verstappen was engaged in a season-long fight with Lewis Hamilton as he looked to end Mercedes' streak of title success that dated back to 2014.

Verstappen joined Red Bull in 2016 in just his second F1 campaign and made an immediate impact with a victory in his maiden race with the team.

However, he was made wait until his sixth season with Red Bull before he could challenge for the championship, as the team failed to produce a title-contending car.

"After he joined us as a teenager, we saw how Max grew,” Horner told the Formule 1 Magazine. 

“We saw his development and his exceptional talent. So we just had to give him the tools to exploit that talent, for example by having a competitive engine in the car. 

“That first championship in 2021 was then one of the most iconic seasons in F1, all the way to that last race.”

Verstappen and Hamilton entered the final round of the season level on points before Verstappen completed a last lap overtake on Hamilton, albeit amid a controversial safety car restart.

Despite the animosity that surrounds the title triumph, Horner has placed the moment at the top of Red Bull's achievements.

"And it was like a heavyweight fight from the first round in Bahrain to 21 races later in Abu Dhabi,” he said. “It was definitely the highlight of our team history. 

“That was followed by a dominant title win in 2022 and then an incredible season in 2023.

“It ensured that Max secured a place among the biggest names in the sport and cemented that place every year. I also think he is more than deserving of that.”