Red Bull to seek solution for Verstappen "road rage"

Spanish Grand Prix

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Red Bull to seek solution for Verstappen "road rage"

Verstappen was audibly frustrated on the way to Spanish GP victory

Ewan Gale

Sunday 22 May 2022 17:40

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has revealed how the team helped Max Verstappen to overcome "road rage" to win the Spanish Grand Prix.

The reigning F1 champion took his fourth victory of the season and continued his streak of winning every race he has finished this year after leading home team-mate Sergio Perez for a Red Bull one-two.

In a race of high drama, Verstappen slid into the gravel at turn four when being hit with a sudden gust of wind before his temperamental DRS issues from qualifying re-emerged when trying to overtake George Russell's Mercedes.

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Charles Leclerc retired when controlling the race, meaning Verstappen's win promotes the Dutchman into the lead of the drivers' championship.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Horner explained: "It was a race of two halves.

"Nothing really seemed to be working for us in the first half, we had an issue with the DRS on Max's car and he had the moment at turn four. A gust of tailwind and he did well to get through the gravel and rejoin.

"At that point, because he was stuck behind George and the DRS was intermittently working, we decided our best race was converting him to a three-stop and as it panned out, that was the preferred strategy."

With the DRS issues halting his charge, Verstappen fumed over the team radio with expletive-laden messages aimed at his pit-wall.

On Verstappen driving angry, Horner added: "He was venting his frustration and obviously there was a little road rage going on at that point which is understandable because he must have hit the button 50 times on one straight.

"It is something we need to get on top of."

Horner's shout-out for Perez after team orders

Verstappen's team-mate Sergio Perez was left unhappy after being denied the chance to swap positions early in the race before later being told to concede the lead to the Dutchman.

Reflecting on the situation, Horner added: "I have just got to shout out for Checo, playing the team game.

"They weren't in the same race, the strategies were different but they worked together fantastically well.

"But the pace in the car was very strong. It was a shame for Charles and I think it would have been a very interesting fight in that second half of the race."