Red Bull team principal Christian Horner praised Max Verstappen for his impressive performance in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, highlighting that McLaren displayed exceptional strength throughout the weekend.
Verstappen started the race well, overtaking Oscar Piastri early on and applying pressure on Lando Norris. However, as the race progressed, tyre degradation became a challenge, causing him to lose pace. Piastri later reclaimed second place, while Verstappen struggled to keep up with Norris, who appeared to have superior pace.
As rain began to fall in the closing stages, Verstappen opted to stay out initially, which allowed him to inherit the race lead. However, with heavier rainfall approaching, he was eventually forced to pit, surrendering the lead to Norris. Despite this setback, Verstappen secured a strong second-place finish, a positive outcome given McLaren’s dominance during the weekend.
Liam Lawson, making his first race appearance for Red Bull, had a difficult outing. He was determined to recover positions but ultimately spun and crashed into the wall in the final moments, bringing his race to a disappointing end.
Horner expressed satisfaction with the team’s strategy and Verstappen’s race execution. He acknowledged that the race was always going to be challenging due to the mixed conditions but felt that Red Bull made the right strategic calls. While Verstappen had a strong start, Horner noted that McLaren’s pace was formidable. The team attempted a slight gamble with an overcut strategy, which nearly paid off. Following a late-race restart, Verstappen came close to snatching victory from Norris but ultimately fell short.
Horner commended McLaren for their resilience and well-earned victory. He also expressed sympathy for Lawson, recognizing that his first race for Red Bull did not go as planned. However, he remained confident in Lawson’s abilities and expected him to bounce back in the next race in China.
Despite not securing the win, Horner viewed the result as a positive beginning to the season, especially at a circuit where Red Bull has historically struggled. Looking ahead to the Chinese Grand Prix, he anticipated a more balanced competition, providing a clearer picture of the team’s performance relative to their rivals.