Horner slates Wolff 'total lack of understanding' over Verstappen jibe

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has hit out at Toto Wolff’s “total lack of understanding” following comments directed toward Max Verstappen.

The Dutchman has dominated the 2023 campaign, winning 11 out of the 13 races staged so far to lead teammate Sergio Perez by 138 points ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.

While Perez won the other two Grands Prix in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, the Mexican has failed to replicate Verstappen’s pace, with another of struggles and large margins between the duo adding pressure.

Mercedes boss Wolff suggested that Verstappen’s dominance is down to Red Bull constructing the cars to suit the Dutchman’s driving style and whilst the two-time champion labelled the comments as "bulls**t", Horner has further added to the flame.

“I completely agree with Max,” Horner told media including RacingNews365.com.

“It shows a total lack of understanding of how race cars and teams develop, if Toto thinks that we're developing a car around a single a single driver.

“You develop a car to be as quick as you can and sometimes quick cars are difficult cars. That is what historically has been the case."

Verstappen adapts

Outlining Verstappen's strengths, Horner added: “Good drivers adapt, you see in wet conditions, mixed conditions, varied conditions, the elite, they adapt quickly.

“That's one of his key skill sets is his ability to adapt to the feeling of the grip levels that a car gives him.

“But there's certainly no direction that we tailor something to suit one specific driver, we're just trying to design and build the fastest car that we can that our tools our simulation and our wind tunnel provide us with that direction."