‘The best driver in the world currently’ – Horner lauds Verstappen after Japanese GP masterclass

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner was quick to sing the praises of Max Verstappen after his superb victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, hailing him “the best driver in the world currently”.

Verstappen stunned onlookers as he toppled the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in Qualifying on Saturday but, after successfully defending his lead into Turn 1- at the race start, the Dutch four-time World Champion looked imperious at the head of the field.

READ MORE: Verstappen surges to fourth consecutive Japanese GP victory ahead of Norris and Piastri

The Red Bull man went on to seal his fourth consecutive victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, in a performance that was heralded by plenty of voices up and down the paddock.

“Max, without any debate, is the best driver in the world currently,” Horner told Sky Sports F1 when asked if Verstappen was operating at a level beyond the RB21’s capabilities.

“But you’re a team. You’re not a driver and a car, you’re a team, and you win together and lose together. We’re working very hard.

“We know that this car has some vices. We know where we need to improve, and everybody is working very hard to achieve that.

READ MORE: ‘It means a lot’ – Verstappen thrilled with fourth Suzuka win in a row as he reflects on ‘tight’ pit exit moment with Norris

“We turned things upside down this weekend to get a car into a window that Max could make use of, and Suzuka is a drivers’ circuit. But you’ve also got to have a car to be able to deliver, and credit to the engineering team as well this weekend for giving him something that he could finally work with.”

Victory at Suzuka places Verstappen just one point behind Norris at the summit of the Drivers’ Standings, with the possibility of the Dutchman sealing a fifth consecutive title a very real possibility once more.

However, the team's hopes in the Constructors' Championship battle took another hit in Suzuka as the second Red Bull car remained scoreless for the season, following the decision to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.

The home favourite could only muster a P12 result on a weekend that brought him "mixed feelings", but Horner was clear on where Red Bull's focus was.

READ MORE: ‘Mixed feelings’ – Tsunoda looks back on ‘pretty frustrating’ debut race for Red Bull

“For us, all priority is on that Drivers’ Championship," he said. "The Constructors’ for sure is going to be harder, but it’s a long year and you never give up.

“There’s no better tonic or motivator than winning, and we’ve done that here.”

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