Red Bull issue title warning to F1 rivals

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has asserted there is “more to come” from Max Verstappen following his championship victory in Las Vegas.

The Dutchman claimed his fourth F1 title last weekend, joining an exclusive list of the sport's most successful drivers.

His 2024 title looked to be all but assured after the opening rounds as Red Bull crushed the competition in the first grands prix of the campaign.

However, Red Bull and Verstappen were forced to dig deep as the year progressed as the field closed the gap and consistently challenged at the front of the field.

Verstappen enjoyed one of his strongest races in Brazil earlier this month as he rose from 17th on the grid to win, allowing him to place one hand on the title.

Having now wrapped up his fourth championship, Horner has declared Verstappen has not yet reached his peak.

“I think there’s still more to come from him, to be honest,” Horner told media including RacingNews365. “He’s only just 27 years of age.

“How hard he pushes himself, I’m sure that there’s still more to come.”

Horner points out 'grey hairs' after F1 stress

Red Bull faced its tightest championship fight since the 2021 campaign when it endured a fierce battle against Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton.

The Milton Keynes-based squad looked to be in trouble this year before an upgrade in Austin turned around its form.

Horner highlighted Red Bull's mentality as “racers” hasn't waned as the team motivated itself to keep its spirits high.

“I think the amount of grey hairs that I now have compared to previous years has probably demonstrated the stress levels of the year,” Horner laughed.

“We’re a race team. We focus on going racing. That's what we love. It's a sport that attracts a lot of attention and media interest.

“The reality is, we're a team of racers, and Max is a racer - that's what he loves doing, and that's what he's he's fantastic at. 

“So as soon as you cross that red line into the garage, that's what we are.”