Verstappen's wins let Red Bull relax

Christian Horner says Max Verstappen's victories in Austria and Germany have quelled any fears that the Dutchman could look to leave Red Bull in the near future.

Before the recent trip to Spielberg, a string of reports emerged surrounding performance clauses in Verstappen's contract, with many talking up a potential exit for the 2020 campaign.

However, victories at the Red Bull Ring and Hockenheim have rendered much of what was claimed redundant, with Verstappen perhaps starting to turn attentions to an unlikely assault on Lewis Hamilton atop the drivers' championship.

Although the 63-point buffer may be too much to overcome this year, Horner says Verstappen is fully invested into Red Bull, and hopes they can go to the very top together.

"I think the thing is I'm totally relaxed about it," said Horner. "Max is enjoying driving in the team. He sees the progress we are making.

"I don't see any risk with that and I think we just have got to keep focusing on getting performance from the car at the halfway stage of the championship now.

"We've won two races, and we've had a couple of other podiums. I was surprised the release of Ferrari looked very similar to our Monaco one to me, but the team only got fined, as otherwise, Max would have had another podium in Monaco."

Having surged through the field in spectacular fashion in Austria, Verstappen's win in Germany was more about his calmness in the face of weather conditions which sent many of his rivals into a spin – literally.

"I think he has a great natural feeling in car control, and I think he enjoys those conditions," Horner said.

"He always excels in them and he's got such confidence in the car. He's able to do things and manage tyres at the same time. It's extremely impressive."

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