F1 News: Christian Horner Shoots Down Toto Wolff's Remarks On Max Verstappen - 'Learned Not To Listen'

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner responds to Toto Wolff's recent Max Verstappen comments.

Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, speaks at the Red Bull Fan Zone, a / Jay Janner/American-Statesman / USA

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has addressed recent comments from Mercedes chief Toto Wolff that no one will be able to beat Max Verstappen this year, joking that he has "learned not to listen too much to what Toto says over the years".

Key Takeaways:

• Christian Horner humorously counters Toto Wolff's early comments about the season's outcome.
• Max Verstappen establishes an early lead in the championship, marked by dominant performances in the opening races.
• Despite the early success, Horner maintains a level-headed perspective, focusing on the long and unpredictable season ahead.

Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, speaks at the Red Bull Fan Zone, a / Jay Janner/American-Statesman / USA

As the F1 world turned its attention to the Japanese Grand Prix, the off-track exchanges between team principals added an extra layer of drama. Christian Horner found an opportunity to jest at Toto Wolff's expense, following Wolff's seemingly premature thoughts on the season's end. When asked about Wolff's assertion that no one could catch up to Verstappen this season, Horner responded, as quoted by RacingNews365:

“It’s very early to write off your year, there’s still 20 races to go. “I’ve learned not to listen too much to what Toto says over the years.”

Red Bull's performance has been nothing short of exceptional in the early stages of the 2024 season. Verstappen's victories have been complemented by strong showings from his teammate, Sergio Perez. This collective effort has propelled Red Bull to a significant lead in both the drivers' and constructors' championships, despite a brief setback in Australia.

Horner, while enjoying the team's current standing, remains cautiously optimistic. He acknowledges the unpredictable nature of the sport and the challenges that lie ahead. Furthermore, Horner highlighted Verstappen's physical condition as a key factor in his performances, stating:

“I think he’s in great shape.

“You know, he's changed trainer over the winter. He's fit, he's lean. And the car is in a great window, and you can hear the capacity, the spare capacity he has in the car… is very impressive.

“The form he had last year has just carried through.”