Horner questions Verstappen treatment after exoneration

Christian Horner has lamented criticism of Max Verstappen ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix and insisted F1 should be "encouraging not criticising" the Dutchman.

Verstappen evaded punishment for an opinion-dividing defensive move against Lewis Hamilton at last weekend's São Paulo Grand Prix, with Mercedes requesting a review after forward-facing footage onboard the Red Bull became available.

The review was dismissed ahead of second practice at the Losail International Circuit after the new video evidence was deemed not significant.

Put to Horner the rules of engagement had become difficult to understand given the punishments this season for drivers being forced off track, speaking to Sky Sports F1, Horner replied: "I don't think it is [difficult to understand].

"Do you think [Valtteri] Bottas is over the limit? On the first lap do you think Carlos Sainz was over the limit?

"They were all incidents where similar things happened and I think there is so much scrutiny placed because it is the two world championship protagonists going for it.

"Max clearly demonstrated in Mexico that you can pass around the outside. He made a clean pass into turn one around the outside.

"What you had in Brazil was Lewis in a vastly superior car, straight-line speed wise. The fact Max held on for 58 laps - nobody could hang on for more than three against Lewis.

"He was braking right at the limit, so did Lewis. If he had done what Checo [Perez] did on the first lap, he would have undercut him and let Max go wide so I don't quite understand why you are being so hard on Max.

"We want a fair playing field and a fair clean fight across these last three races. We have had a phenomenal championship. They haven't had this in seven years, that is why Toto [Wolff] is getting twitchy.

"That is why he is swearing at the camera, that is why he is throwing a few f-bombs around and it is fantastic. We have got them under pressure and it is what the sport has been crying out for. Rather than criticising Max, you should be encouraging him."

Review dismissal "nice" - Verstappen

Verstappen finished second practice in Qatar third quickest, ahead of rival Hamilton but a third-of-a-second slower than the leading time set by Bottas, with AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly second fastest.

Addressing the review dismissal, Verstappen explained: "It is nice but it is to be expected."

On practice itself, he added: "It was the first time in the evening so it was important to understand how the car would react.

"Quite a bit of a change between the medium and the soft tyre for me. That is why the soft tyre wasn't amazing but again, first time here so there is a lot to understand.

"You have to learn the track a bit but it has been a lot of fun to drive to be honest. It is a really cool track."

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