Horner: Red Bull doesn’t want Verstappen to be “PR robot” in F1

Horner: Red Bull doesn’t want Verstappen to be “PR robot” in F1

Red Bull Formula 1 team boss Christian Horner says he doesn’t want Max Verstappen to be a PR “robot” as he reflects on the Dutchman’s outspokenness in 2023.

Verstappen became more outspoken this year at various points, launching an eloquent monologue at the recent Las Vegas Grand Prix which he felt steered F1 too far towards entertainment and away from the sporting element.

The triple world champion’s appraisal of Vegas and his lack of enthusiasm over street circuits in general was well received by a lot of F1 fans, even if F1 itself was less amused by criticism of its new event.

But according to his team principal Horner, Verstappen’s blunt honesty is something to be appreciated as he doesn’t want his drivers to be “robots”.

“We believe in our drivers having a freedom of choice,” Horner told Autosport. “They’re not robots, they have opinions. And Max has a voice as the world champion, and we don’t constrain him to give a PR view.

“He’s a very honest, young guy and he’ll tell you how he sees it. And I think that’s actually quite refreshing.”

Horner doesn’t believe Verstappen, who debuted at the age of 17 and won his first race at 18, has otherwise changed much over the years.

“I think he’s changing because he’s maturing a