Christian Horner has labelled Max Verstappen the ‘Tyson Fury of Formula One’ ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Verstappen is the hot favourite to win Sunday’s race in Baku, as F1 resumes after a three-week break. And in the build-up to round four of the season, Red Bull’s team principal drew parallels between the two-time world champion and current WBC heavyweight champion Fury.
Horner told Standard Sport: “I see a lot of Tyson Fury’s killer instinct in Max. Max had a tough upbringing and he’s got that inner ‘just don’t give up’. It’s not anger, but that hunger, drive, self- confidence and belief — and also he likes Tyson Fury.”
Fury has set the benchmark for the heavyweight boxing division with three successful defences of the WBC belt won against Deontay Wilder in 2020.
In contrast, Verstappen already boasts a comfortable lead in this season’s drivers’ championship. Even so early in a marathon 23-race campaign, the Dutchman looks on course to win a third straight world title, such is his dominance and that of the Red Bull team, who have won all three grands prix to date in 2023.
But, ahead of this weekend, Horner said it was premature to get carried away with this season or speculating that Verstappen could go on to become the greatest F1 driver of all time.
“That’s a big ask,” he said. “He’s 25 years old and a double world champion. What he’s achieved already in this sport is amazing.
“A lot will depend on the car that we give him, but he’s the standout of the current generation of outstanding driver talent.”
Verstappen won the season opener in Bahrain, but had to make do with second place behind team-mate Sergio Perez in Saudi Arabia, before returning to winning ways in Melbourne three weeks ago.
Following Perez’s victory in Jeddah, Horner said it was the best performance of the Mexican’s time at Red Bull, in what is his third season with the team.
And in the lead-up to Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the British team boss said Perez was, arguably, the first team-mate capable of dealing with Verstappen.
“It’s incredibly tough,” he said of having the Dutchman as both a rival and team-mate.
“That’s why I think ‘Checo’ is doing a great job. Mentally, Max can destroy team-mates, younger drivers haven’t had the roundedness to deal with Max Verstappen.
“‘Checo’ has that experience. He accepts that Max is an exceptional talent but, if he focuses on himself, he can get close to him and challenge him at many venues. Whether he’s able to do that consistently over 23 races, we’ll see.
“He knows that’s his biggest challenge. He recognises the talent Max has and he’s completely comfortable with that.
“He’s had a great start to the season and knows he has a great car, but he needs to beat the other guy on the other side of the garage.”
