Max Verstappen: Boos for Red Bull driver like ‘water off a duck’s back’ says Christian Horner after United States GP

Max Verstappen took a hard-fought 50th win of his F1 career but did not receive a friendly reception on the podium at the United States GP; Watch every session of this weekend’s Mexico City GP live on Sky Sports F1, starting on Friday

Christian Horner has described any cheering for Max Verstappen as “water off a duck’s back” after he was jeered by fans at Sunday’s United States Grand Prix.

Verstappen took his 50th F1 victory, one behind Alain Prost, who is fourth on the all-time winners list, and his third consecutive win at the Circuit of The Americas.

However, he was booed as he raised his trophy by some spectators in Austin, a venue where Mexican Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate, has traditionally had strong support.

Asked about the cheering ahead of this week’s Mexico City GP, Horner said: “I don’t think Max is going to get the warmest reception in Mexico! But that’s water off a duck’s back. One year you’re the villain, the other year you’re the hero.”

It was far from an easy race for Verstappen as he suffered a braking problem from the opening lap and crossed the line just 2.2 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights from the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.

Verstappen was still able to make big strides over Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris, although he was on his way to a record-equalling victory number 15 of 2023.

“We changed the brakes after yesterday and that wasn’t good. I didn’t have a good feeling when braking and I couldn’t really get on top of it all race, so this is something we have to understand,” he said. Sky Sports F1.

“If you’re not very confident under braking here, you obviously won’t have that nice feeling under braking when you come off. It can cost you quite a bit of lap time and it was a bit more difficult than I expected. Normally I “I’ve never really had any trouble braking in my F1 career so far, but it was definitely a problem.”

Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Ted Kravitz is in the paddock to discuss the top stories surrounding the 2023 United States Grand Prix.

Verstappen comfortably undercut Hamilton during the first round of pit stops, while Mercedes, perhaps unfairly, went long with their driver.

He chased Norris on the mediums in the second stint and overtook him halfway through the race. The Dutchman says his pace was a lot closer to the others compared to other races and that he was not as confident as usual.

“Once I was in the lead, I think the gap was okay. But a few laps ago there were some stragglers and my tires didn’t feel so good,” said Verstappen.

“The hard tire wasn’t that good today. But I think the gap was just big enough and there weren’t many laps left.”

Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Max Verstappen surprises Lando Norris by diving into Turn 12 to take the lead in the United States GP

Horner: Verstappen and Lambiase’s ‘marital bliss’ continues

Verstappen also had some fiery team radio exchanges with his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, better known as GP, during the race in Austin.

The 26-year-old, who has a very candid relationship with Lambiase, repeatedly told him not to speak in braking zones.

Lambiase said on the radio that he would see Verstappen on Friday – when practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix starts live Sky Sports F1 – which Horner explained.

Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Max Verstappen was heard fuming on the team radio after having problems with his brakes.

“The marital happiness continues! Max complains about his brakes and the GP asks about the offset of his front wing,” said Horner.

“It was always the intention that the GP would go back to Britain after this race, so that’s why he had to catch a plane. That’s why he said ‘see you Friday’.”

Verstappen added: “We still won the race and that’s the most important thing. If you have trouble braking and aren’t that confident, I politely asked not to be spoken to. I said please when I asked!”

F1 heads straight to Mexico for the middle leg of the US triple header. Watch the entire Mexico City Grand Prix weekend live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday, with Sunday’s race at 8pm. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW