Horner: 'Max selected another gear since Canada last year'

Published on 01 May 2019 by Julien Lemmen

ExxonMobil and Aston Martin Red Bull Racing joined forces ahead of the 2017 Formula One season. In an interview with ExxonMobil, team principal Christian Horner explains how important the fuel and lubricants supplier is to the team's success: “They have been extremely important. Ever since we entered into this partnership with ExxonMobil, the level of technical expertise has been clear to see. That’s been particularly evident since changing engine supplier to Honda for this season. Fuel and lubricant development plays such a key role with these hybrid engines and we are seeing great progress being made as the two companies work collaboratively. Honda are pushing ExxonMobil hard and ExxonMobil are coming up with a lot of product variants at the moment. It’s great to see that relationship working as fluidly as it is. We are very much involved in discussions about Honda’s development path and what role fuel and engine oil plays within that. It’s a triangular partnership between Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, Honda and ExxonMobil where everyone is bringing something to the party. It’s very exciting.”

Next to the partnership with ExxonMobil, also the driver pairing is discussed. The recent level of maturity and development of Max Verstappen has impressed Horner a lot: “Max selected another gear since last year’s Canadian Grand Prix. The way he drove from that point onwards has been hugely impressive. He had a run that came to end in Bahrain of six straight podiums. He also scored the second highest amount of points behind Lewis Hamilton in the second half of last season and he’s carried that form through the winter to the start of this year. We want to give him the tools that he can take the fight to the Ferraris and Mercedes.”

Pierre Gasly had a tough start to the season, but Horner has some encouraging words for the young Frenchman: “Pierre just needs some time. It’s a big step, joining Aston Martin Red Bull Racing from Scuderia Toro Rosso. Australia was challenging but he drove a good race in Bahrain and then had another solid race in China. Clinching the fastest lap, and the bonus point that came with it, was a real positive for him. Whilst Pierre was unable to finish the race in Baku, setting fastest lap in Q1 and racing from the pit lane to sixth on Sunday, before retiring due to a mechanical issue, was his strongest race weekend to date and he will take confidence from it moving forwards.”