Max Verstappen left puzzled by 'weird' Christian Horner question

Max Verstappen has labelled a query over his F1 form following Christian Horner's departure from Red Bull as a “weird” question.

The Dutchman enters the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend looking to keep his title hopes alive, sitting 49 points down on leader Lando Norris.

However, it's a position that seemed unlikely earlier in the campaign when Red Bull struggled for form while McLaren dominated at the head of the field.

Horner was replaced by Laurent Mekies after the British Grand Prix in the Red Bull team principal role, and since then, the Milton Keynes-based squad has enjoyed an uptick in form.

Mekies has insisted he has had zero impact on the progression, instead pointing to the long-term development plan that was already in place at the team.

In Las Vegas, a journalist asked Verstappen if he thought a championship comeback fight would still be possible with Horner leading the squad, prompting Verstappen to declare: “I find it a really weird question. 

“I don't know why that would be suddenly now that we close 49 points like that.

“I don't know, you can fill it in yourself.”

Following three wins in four races after the summer break, Verstappen became an outside bet for the championship.

However, back-to-back wins for Norris in Mexico and Brazil have created a healthy buffer to Verstappen with three rounds remaining.

Despite a shock fifth title now appearing unlikely, the Dutchman praised Red Bull for its efforts to lift the car into a more competitive space.

“I think we've done a very good job in the last few races,” Verstappen highlighted. “What else can I say?

“I mean, we try everything that we can. The car has been good at some places, maybe not so good at others. But that's it.”