Horner defends Verstappen's foul-mouthed rant at Stroll

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has defended Max Verstappen after his driver turned the air blue following his collision in second practice with Lance Stroll.

Verstappen fumed with Stroll following the first-corner incident at Portimão's Algarve International Circuit which led to the Dutch driver sustaining slight damage to his Red Bull, while the Canadian's Racing Point beached in the gravel and led to a red flag.

The FIA then chose to play Verstappen's radio message in which he said: “Is this guy f***ing blind? What the f*** is wrong with him?” He is also understood to have described Stroll as "a retard".

The stewards ultimately decided neither driver was at fault for the clash, with Horner also opting against chastising Verstappen for his choice words.

“I think emotion gets in there, he’s that kind of character," said Horner.

Despite the eventual stewards' outcome, with both drivers also appreciating their share of the blame, at the time of the incident, Horner added: “His expectation was very different to the outcome.

“What you have to remember, these drivers, there’s stuff going on with them through all of the sessions. Some drivers work together and some drivers don’t. And sometimes if Max is coming up behind Lance or Ocon it can get colourful.”

Verstappen's response immediately after the session with regard to his language was terse and non-apologetic as he simply said: “Not my problem.”

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