Christian Horner waxed lyrical about Max Verstappen as he secure back-to-back Formula 1 drivers' titles with a supreme drive at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The race was a truncated one, with an almost two-hour delay after a red flag on the first lap. But despite all the disruption, once the action going again Verstappen was on another level and won the race by almost half-a-minute – he opened that gap in just 29 laps.
Following some initial confusion over the amount of points that would be awarded, it was declared that the Dutchman had built a lead big enough to secure the 2022 title with four races remaining. Sergio Perez took second place in the race, after Charles Leclerc was given a time penalty for an overly-aggressive defensive move against the Mexican.
And once all that had been confirmed, Red Bull chief Horner couldn't resist heaping praise on both his drivers. "We thought that it wouldn't be full points awarded, so, that all swung it," he told Sky Sports. We thought that we were one point short so we wanted to pit him for the fastest lap. But wow.. that's beyond all our dreams.
"Max has been truly dominant. Our 14th victory that is a record for us as a team. The way he has driven from the last race. We have come back after some difficulties in the first couple of races. He and the team have just raised the bar to another level. Credit to all of the men and women back at Milton Keynes who have gone above and beyond under massive pressure.
"To get that win here in Japan with Honda as well is really special. Charles made a mistake at the end. The penalty was given. Fantastic for Checo. He has done a fantastic job. The way we have adapted to the new regulations I think the engineering team – it's been a phenomenal performance from everybody involved. Max has grown from that first world championship the way he has given and operated this year. He deserves it."
His race and championship success saw Verstappen draw level with Fernando Alonso on both counts. Both drivers have 32 race wins and two world titles to their name – and the Dutchman is 16 years younger than his Spanish rival.
Reacting to his title win – even he wasn't sure it had been confirmed at first – Verstappen said: "It's crazy. Very mixed emotions of course winning the race, but looking back now winning the championship. What a year we've had its been incredible. Something we could never have imagined after last year fighting until the end and then have a good car this year.
"I am so thankful to everyone that has contributed to this success not only here but back at the factory that are working flat out. The work we've done with Honda all the way through to constantly improve and to win now twice with them is emotion also to win it here with them watching which gives you pressure, but fun pressure.
"The first one is more emotional but the second one is even more beautiful With the season we've had, the team work and we are leading the constructors. We want to focus on that and secure that. It's been a pretty special here and I think it's something you need to remind yourself of because these kind of years don't happen very often."
