Horner explains post-race message to Verstappen from Lambiase: 'Marital bliss'

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has quipped the "marital bliss" between Max Verstappen and Race Engineer Gianpiero Lambiase remains strong after more heated radio exchanges at the United States Grand Prix.

The three-time World Champion secured a 50th F1 victory at the Circuit of the Americas having started sixth on the grid, narrowly keeping Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton at bay after a nervous final stint.

Verstappen was dealing with brake issues from the outset and made his concerns clear on team radio: "Mate, these brakes are so s**t compared to yesterday, what a piece of s**t."

When given information on gaps to rivals later in the race, Verstappen replied: "Stop talking in the braking man, f**k."

At the end of the race, Lambiase said: "Well done, enjoy the celebrations and I'll see you Friday."

Explaining the message from Lambiase, given the various exchanges between the two across the season, Horner told Sky Sports F1: "It was not a code or anything like that - the marital bliss between the two of them just rolls on.

"He [Lambiase] has had to rush back to the UK, so he was rushing to catch a flight.

"It used to be Helmut early but now it is the race engineer that is straight out after the race."

Mateschitz tribute

Verstappen's victory came a year to the day since the passing of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz.

Paying tribute to the Austrian, Horner said: "Hopefully he would have enjoyed that looking down.

"He only ever wore a pair of jeans and so, that's why the whole team is wearing jeans, just to tip our hat to him and you know, it has been a remarkable 12 months for the team.

"We simply wouldn't be here without him so remembering him here and hearing the Rolling Stones playing out after the race, hopefully, he's looking down and enjoyed that one."