Horner on Verstappen ‘torpedo’ flak: Did nothing wrong

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has come to the defence of Max Verstappen on the back of his driver’s controversial moves at the Mexican Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton“got torpedoed”by Verstappen during the opening stages of the Sunday’s race as the two were tussling over third place and theMerc driverhad a dig at the Dutchman after the race, saying “it’s very likely you’re going to come together with Max if you don’t give him extra space”.

However, Horner is having none of that as he believes “it was hard racing”.

“He was actually patient with the Ferraris, he was ahead of Lewis, he braked early-ish, which allowed Lewis to get round, take the risk on the outside,” he is quoted as saying byRacefans.net.

“Lewis then got a bit of a tank-slapper. They both ended up on [the grass], it was hard racing. I don’t think he did anything wrong in the first corner.”

As if that drama had not already compromised his race,Verstappenalso made contact with the other Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas and he picked up a puncture that saw him drop to the back of the grid.

“The move with Bottas was a tough one,” Horner added. “It was arguably done, the pass. He got clipped on the way out of the corner with Valtteri’s front wing. It was just unlucky. Some days that can go for you, some days it can go against you.”

Follow us on Twitter@Planet_F1and like ourFacebook page.