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Max Verstappen has come under fire of late for his driving tactics – but his win in Brazil has silenced critics, according to Christian Horner.
Christian Horner emphasized that Max Verstappen’s performance at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix was the ideal response to his critics, who had been questioning his driving standards in recent weeks, particularly in his battles with McLaren’s Lando Norris. The 1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill criticized Verstappen’s driving as “silly,” while Johnny Herbert raised concerns about his mindset in wheel-to-wheel racing. Despite the criticisms, Verstappen’s victory in Brazil, where he climbed from 17th on the grid to the top step, showcased his resilience and silenced his detractors. This win, his first since June, came at a crucial time as Red Bull had slipped to third in the constructor’s standings, but Verstappen’s dominant performance helped him extend his lead over Norris and move closer to securing his fourth F1 title. The victory also boosted morale within Red Bull, with team boss Horner highlighting the significance of the win and the celebratory atmosphere in the garage following the long-awaited triumph.