Horner: Verstappen now the centre of attention at Red Bull

©RedBull

As Red Bull Racing's de facto team leader next season, Max Verstappen will polarize the attention of the Milton Keynes outfit says Christian Horner.

Daniel Ricciardo's decision to leave Red Bull and embark on a new challenge with Renault has led to the promotion to the senior bull squad of 22-year-old Pierre Gasly.

Gasly has no fears about going up against Verstappen

While the Frenchman is older than Verstappen, the Dutchman's superior experience will see him carry the team's weight in 2019, a prospect that was always in the cards for the five-time Grand Prix winner.

"Max is now the experienced one. So the team will be looking towards him more now," Horner told Dutch publication Formule 1.

"Pierre of course has the potential to develop and make life difficult for Max. Hopefully they’ll push each other and help to get the best out of each other, just like Max and Daniel did."

It's been five months now since Ricciardo revealed his decision to switch his allegiance to Renault for the future. But Horner admits he still has trouble wrapping his head around the Aussie's decision.

"I’m still surprised, but I respect that he wanted something new," he said, revealing that both himself and Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz had done their utmost to try and convince Ricciardo to stay on.

"But I think he’d already made his choice by then. Whether he would take the same decision now? I don’t know.

"But he made his choice and we are very happy with Pierre."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.