Red Bull

Verstappen confidence "sky-high" ahead of F1 title defence

Sam Hall Tuesday 15 February 2022 09:15

Verstappen confidence "sky-high" ahead of F1 title defence

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has claimed F1 world champion Max Verstappen's confidence is "sky-high" ahead of pre-season testing.

Verstappen secured his maiden championship crown after a last-lap showdown with Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Dutchman's confidence has never been questioned but off the back of a 'dominant' season', Horner has warned Verstappen is ready to build into F1's new era.

"For Max, he was just phenomenal last year, an outstanding season. He dominated," said Horner at the launch of the RB18.

"The amount of laps led, 10 grand prix victories and, of course, the world championship, so his confidence is going to be sky-high.

"So he's looking to build on those performances in 2022."

The fierce battle between Verstappen and Hamilton throughout 2021 saw a number of flashpoints with each feeling hard done by at times.

Reflecting on how the team pulled together in adversity, Horner added: "The strength in depth we have in the team, the way they coped through the pandemic to continue to develop the car the way we did and to deal with the challenges that we faced last year has really galvanised the team.

"We go into 2022 in great shape and are looking forward to the season ahead."

Latest News

Las Vegas Grand Prix Practice

F1 Results Today: Verstappen suffers Las Vegas Grand Prix NIGHTMARE as Hamilton dominates

1 hour ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix Practice

F1 team DISASTER brings out shock red flag at Las Vegas Grand Prix

2 hours ago

Latest F1 News

Ferrari team-mates COLLIDE at Las Vegas Grand Prix

24 minutes ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix

FIA announce major PENALTY for F1 star at Las Vegas Grand Prix

1 hour ago

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Hamilton BOMBSHELL drops as Red Bull announce NEW contract for 2025

3 hours ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix Practice

F1 Results Today: Hamilton ROARS back as slippery track causes chaos

Today 04:42

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2024

GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun

George Russell

GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP HUNGARY 19 - 21 Jul

Oscar Piastri

GP BELGIUM 26 - 28 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP NETHERLANDS 23 - 25 Aug

Lando Norris

GP ITALY 30 Aug - 1 Sep

Charles Leclerc

GP AZERBAIJAN 13 - 15 Sep

Oscar Piastri

GP SINGAPORE 20 - 22 Sep

Lando Norris

GP USA 18 - 20 Oct

Charles Leclerc

GP MEXICO 25 - 27 Oct

GP QATAR 29 Nov - 1 Dec

GP ABU DHABI 6 - 8 Dec

Complete kalender 2024

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

Verstappen confidence "sky-high" ahead of F1 title defence

Verstappen confidence "sky-high" ahead of F1 title defence