Christian Horner has revealed that Max Verstappen's slightly slow pitstop was due to the team not being quite ready, as he hadn't actually been called in to stop. The Dutchman was coming under pressure from Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, and dived into the pits on Lap 24 with the Mercedes close behind him. However, Verstappen's stop ended up being four seconds, almost double the expected time. Horner revealed this was due to the team not calling him in to pit at that point. "Fortunately, we were gearing up for the stop but then Max just comes in to the pit lane and we hadn't actually called him in at that point," Horner explained to Sky Sports F1. "So quick reactions, from the pit wall, from his race engineer, from the pit crew to get that turned around without losing more time. "I think [it] was a four second stop so they recovered incredibly well to get that turned around on that short notice."

Most read

Lewis Hamilton wish granted as new F1 grand prix confirmed

Nico Hulkenberg reveals 'Tony Hawk' move after surprise F1 'coverage'

Fernando Alonso jokingly ribs Lewis Hamilton in unexpected F1 defence

Time schedule for Max Verstappen GT World Challenge at Portimao

F1 Podcast

'Scary’ Max Verstappen scenario as F1 deadline awaits

Williams boss ambitious rule change crusade 'blocked' by rival F1 team

FIA president confirms when V8 engines will make F1 return

Christian Horner felt 'hurt and robbed' at being denied major Red Bull opportunity

Interview

Red Bull reveal how much potential lies within its own power unit

Charles Leclerc issues Ferrari firm demand in ongoing F1 war

Never miss a thing from the Formula 1 season! Add the 2026 F1 schedule to your calendar at the touch of a button. Subscribe below and put the dates and times of every race directly on your PC or smartphone, so you don't miss a second from the new season.

Download the F1 calendar Download the F1 calendar

A variant with just the race and qualifying is also available.
Click here to download it..