Christian Horner expects Max Verstappen to push for Red Bull seat

21 September 2015 08:17

Christian Horner expects Max Verstappen to be a contender for a Red Bull race seat in 2017.

Verstappen, 18 next Wednesday, turned in a meteoric performance in the testing heat and humidity of Singapore to fight back from last place to eighth.

The Dutchman, who also refused a team order to allow his Toro Rosso team-mate Carlos Sainz past in the closing stages of Sunday's race, has been hugely impressive in his debut season.

And Horner expects the 17-year-old, many of whom in the paddock now tip to be a future Formula One champion, to drive for Red Bull in the imminent future.

"Max is doing a great job and he is probably going to give us a headache in a season or two," said Horner. "It is a great problem to have and the driver quality we possess within our group is fantastic."

Verstappen, not yet old enough to drive in his native Holland, has been partnered by the 21-year-old Spaniard Sainz at Toro Rosso this season.

Explaining his decision not to let his team-mate past, Verstappen, who was last and one lap down after stalling on the grid, said: "First of all, if you're one lap down and you manage to be back in the points as the leading Toro Rosso, then for me there is no reason to switch positions.

"After the second time I made it quite clear I didn't want to do it, and at the end they told me it was the right decision."

Verstappen, the son of former Benetton driver Jos, team-mate to Michael Schumacher in the mind-nineties, joked: "He told me if I had let him past he would have kicked me in the nuts."

After he crossed the line in eighth, Verstappen is now level with the highly-rated Nico Hulkenberg on 30 points in the championship standings.

And Horner, speaking to Press Association Sport, said it was conclusive proof that their youth policy works. Sebastian Vettel, winner of Sunday's race in Singapore, started out with Toro Rosso before going on to win four consecutive titles at Red Bull.

"It shows that investing in youth works," Horner added. "We have demonstrated it with Sebastian, Daniel Ricciardo, Daniil Kvyat and these two youngsters.

"It endorses the Red Bull programme of giving pure talent an opportunity. It demonstrates that it works for you and it is making future world champions as opposed to needing a big cheque for a current or previous one."

Source: PA