Christian Horner reveals what makes the PERFECT F1 driver
Christian Horner reveals what makes the PERFECT F1 driver
Christian Horner has revealed what he looks for in a Formula 1 driver as he discussed Sebastian Vettel’s evolution from a bit of a maverick to a beloved veteran of the sport.
The Red Bull team principal discussed his ideal qualities in a driver on the Talking Bull podcast, joking that a great driver for the Milton Keynes outfit is ‘ideally cheap’ and singing the praises of the Red Bull junior programme.
Asked what he looks for aside from speed in a driver, Horner said: “Ideally cheap, but the two things don't come together very often unless you get a really good junior driver, which we've been incredibly successful at developing.”
He named Vettel, Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz and some successful products of the Red Bull junior programme, adding: “But of course, when you get to Formula 1 the pressures are different, the scrutiny is different and we've had some great drivers that we've worked with over the years.
“I’m very proud that many of them have come through our young driver programme.
Vettel – from unpopular rookie to beloved veteran
Horner also spoke about Vettel’s transformation in the eyes of the fans, after being asked if audiences turn against successful drivers on a hot streak.
The former driver for Red Bull began his career as a young up-and-comer and was received with reticence by the public, not helped by his private nature, Horner suggested.
However, by the time he retired last year after winning four world championships, all with Red Bull, he was one of the most popular figures on the grid.
Horner said of Vettel: “I think everything evolves in time. Sebastian used to win it, get out of the car and he'd shove his finger in your face with this really annoying habit he had of showing this one finger.
“I think whenever you have serial winners in any sport it's easy to lose that popularity and Sebastian was a very private person.
“He didn't give anything of himself personally in terms of emotionally or never let people see really who he was.
And I think as he got older, he got more comfortable with it expressing himself and people seeing his character and his values, and they came to love that and he became hugely popular by the end of his career.”
Horner added that Verstappen, Red Bull’s current champion, is ‘very different’ to Vettel.
He said: “I think Max is a very, very different character. He wears his heart on his sleeve - I mean, he's got a lion painted on the top of his helmet for a reason.
“He drives like a lion, he's got a lion's heart and he's immensely talented and you just know he's going to give 100 per cent.”
READ MORE: Top F1 teams set to battle for young Brazilian racing SENSATION
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 champion reveals 'painful' contract clause that cost him HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
- 32 minutes ago
F1 legend's ICONIC car put up for sale in UK
- 1 hour ago
Incredible statistic puts Verstappen AHEAD of Hamilton record
- 2 hours ago
Fierce rival calls Hamilton F1's GOAT in surprise admission
- 3 hours ago
Mercedes star tipped to replace struggling driver THIS season
- Today 11:57
- 1
F1 legend issues DAMNING verdict on proposed rule change
- Today 10:57
Related news
Horner reveals 'unhuman' Verstappen secret
Red Bull already sending parts to F1 race MONTHS away
Schumacher reveals what F1 pundits are NOT allowed to say about Red Bull
F1 team 'set to announce MEGA signing' in major Red Bull challenge
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860