Max Verstappen is having fun with essentially the most dominant of Components One seasons, however Pink Bull group boss Christian Horner reckons the double world champion nonetheless deserves extra recognition.
The 25-year-old took a file 14th win of the season in Mexico Metropolis on Sunday and has now scored extra factors in a single marketing campaign (416) than anybody ever, breaking Lewis Hamilton’s 2019 file of 413.
Even when seasons now have extra races, with modified scoring methods, quickest laps and sprints including to the factors accessible, Verstappen and Pink Bull have undeniably raised the bar this yr.
The group have gained the previous 9 races and 16 of 20, their best haul but in a single championship, and secured each titles for the primary time since 2013.
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There are nonetheless two extra races remaining to push the boundaries even additional.
“We are literally witnessing one thing very particular. And I generally suppose that his achievements maybe do not obtain the plaudits that they need to,” Horner advised reporters after the race on the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
“I believe truly what we have witnessed this yr is a fully excellent efficiency from a driver who could be very a lot on the high of his recreation.”
There is no such thing as a query Verstappen will get kudos at dwelling within the Netherlands, simply as teammate Sergio Pérez does in Mexico, however the sport has develop into more and more polarised because it grows in reputation with new audiences.
Social media, as Verstappen noticed on Sunday night time, has develop into “a really poisonous place” populated by “keyboard warriors” far faraway from the racetrack.
“He is gained essentially the most grands prix in a yr now, inside 20 races, on high of that he is gained two dash races and he is not gained all of them from pole place,” Horner noticed.
“He is needed to combat and race for lots of these victories. After we look again on the finish of the yr, it’s a fully excellent yr that Max has pushed. He hasn’t put a wheel fallacious; he is been excellent all through the season.
“It has been unimaginable, the extent of consistency that he has been in a position to obtain.”
Verstappen’s first title in 2021 got here amid controversy within the season-ending race, with a late change within the security automobile process permitting him to overtake Hamilton on the final lap for victory.
There was no such suspense this yr, with Verstappen wrapping up the title with 4 races to spare, however the group’s breach of the finances cap final yr has nonetheless allowed some to query their achievement.
That clearly rankles, with Verstappen and Horner exhibiting their sensitivity by refusing to speak to Sky tv over the Mexico weekend after a pit lane reporter referred to Hamilton being ‘robbed’ final yr.
“Accusations of championships being robbed is one thing we do not really feel is an neutral commentary. … Max could be very upset about it, and as a group we help him absolutely,” Horner mentioned.