Horner salutes the 'strongest driver pairing' in Formula 1

Christian Horner is convinced that Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen currently represent the best driver pairing in Formula 1.

Indeed, the combined talent and speed of both men is a formidable asset for Red Bull Racing, with one teenage prodigy pushing his elder for the benefit of the entire group.

"I honestly believe we have the strongest pairing," Horner told Formula1.com

"Ricciardo drove a wonderful year last year and is really hitting peak form and, with the exciting talent that is Max Verstappen, who is getting stronger and stronger, the dynamics in the team are fantastic."

Red Bull took its driving force up a notch last year when Daniil Kvyat was replaced by Max Verstappen, and the Dutchman has clearly lived up to his expectations.

• Kvyat no match for Ricciardo - Marko

But as he indeed continues to grow, one wonders how the relationship between himself and Ricciardo will evolve.

The Aussie remains the senior member of the Milton-Keynes based outfit, and should be first in line to benefit from  a successful campaign, but with both men treated on equal terms, tensions could flare up if Verstappen gets a definitive upper hand over his team mate.

Asked to predict the man most likely to win the title this year, Horner rued the absence from the grid of one driver in particular.

"It is obviously a shame that the champion (Nico Rosberg) has decided not to defend his title - that is really an unusual scenario for a guy that is still pretty young.

"You could argue that it is little defeatist, but you have to respect his decision.

"But there are great champions on the grid: Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso. But hopefully it will be a new guy at the end of this season - hopefully one of ours

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