Max Verstappen set to 'bounce back strong' with Red Bull

Max Verstappen - Red Bull

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Verstappen set to 'bounce back strong' with Red Bull

Reigning champion has suffered two retirements this year

Ian Parkes

Wednesday 20 April 2022 08:00 Updated: 10:36

Max Verstappen has been backed to 'bounce back strong' at this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola following a disappointing start to his F1 title defence.

Fresh from the springboard of clinching his maiden championship last year, albeit in controversial circumstances given the events of the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP, Verstappen's Red Bull has been hit with technical issues so far this campaign.

Despite clinching victory in the second race in Saudi Arabia, it has been sandwiched by two retirements in Bahrain and Australia to leave the Dutch driver 46 points behind early runaway leader Charles Leclerc in his Ferrari.

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Verstappen has made his frustration clear, notably after being forced to suddenly stop his RB18 while running second in Melbourne before the car caught fire, as he labelled the ongoing situation "unacceptable".

Team principal Christian Horner can understand Verstappen's sentiments but has no doubt his driver "will bounce back".

Horner added: "He was obviously frustrated when he initially got out of the car [in Melbourne], but he knows that we’re all in it together as a team and we’ll bounce back.

"I am sure he will be coming back strong in Imola."