---
title: "Horner: Verstappen’s maturity amid F1 title fight ‘extremely impressive’"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2021/12/01/horner-verstappens-maturity-amid-f1-title-fight-extremely-impressive/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Hamilton Lyndon-Griffiths"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2021-12-01T15:46:44Z"
modified: "2021-12-01T15:46:46Z"
---

# Horner: Verstappen’s maturity amid F1 title fight ‘extremely impressive’

Max Verstappen’s maturity throughout his season-long Formula 1 battle with Lewis Hamilton has been “extremely impressive”, according to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.

Verstappen is heading into the final two races holding a eight-point lead in the drivers’ standings, in his first campaign where he has had a car capable of mounting a title bid.

If results go his way, the Dutchman could be crowned world champion at this weekend’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, a feat that would make Verstappen the first non-Mercedes driver to win a drivers’ title in the V6 hybrid era.

Having shown no sign that the pressure of fighting for an F1 world championship has gotten to him, Horner is impressed with how Verstappen has coped with the added expectation this year.

“Make no mistake, fighting for your first F1 title is an intense moment in your racing career, but the maturity Max has shown throughout the campaign has been extremely impressive,” said Horner.

“He’s relaxed and dealing with the pressure incredibly well, I think he is driving better than ever. A good example of this was during the race in Qatar, when he did not feel we could catch Lewis, but commented over the that radio he ‘wanted to have some fun’.

“Max is plain-speaking and he calls it how he sees it. He doesn’t work with a sports psychologist; it is just how he copes with it.”

Following a dominant run at the start of the 2010s, this year has marked the first time since its four consecutive championships that Red Bull has been in a position to fight for a title.

Horner admits he’s enjoyed being able to mount a sustained challenge to Mercedes throughout the season and, with both championships hanging in the balance, is grateful to have been a part of the intense rivalry.

“Fighting for two world championships is exactly what we’ve worked hard for,” Horner said. “We’re going into the last few races and it’s extremely close.

“Max is just eight points ahead in the drivers’ championship and five points behind in the constructors’, in previous years we’d have bitten your arm off to be in this position at this point in the championship.

“We want to be up at the top fighting for titles and while it has been an intense year, the pressure is something we put on ourselves. With the benefit of experience, we only worry about the things we can control, rather than the things we can’t, especially while the stakes are high.

“I have really enjoyed this championship and the fact we’ve been able to take the fight to Mercedes and Lewis, it’s been a phenomenal season to date.

“Whatever happens at the end of this championship, we will know that we have given it everything we have got. The racing this year has been incredible, and the rivalry is intense – which has been wonderful to be a part of.”