Christian Horner believes the remarkable rise of Max Verstappen will only strengthen Daniel Ricciardo's prospects rather than dispirit the Australian in the future.
Verstappen's has delivered the goods on all levels since his switch to Red Bull Racing earlier this year. He clinched his first victory in Spain, his maiden race with the s outfit, and has put his team mate under wraps on several occasions in the last six races.
Ricciardo himself admitted his team mate's level of performance has unsettled him somewhat, but team boss Christian Horner believes the internal rivalry will only boost his potential as a driver, and enhance the Milton Keynes team's own prospects.
"Daniel is a class driver," said Horner.
"He has demonstrated already this year that he is at the top of his game, and no teammate likes being the second of the cars to finish.
"I am sure he will respond positively, but it is a positive thing in the team. They are just two guys going flat out, going for it, and it is very healthy for us."
Sunday evening, Ricciardo lamented the 'boring' afternoon race in which he finished fourth following a fairly solitary run. But Horner also stressed how the circumstances had dealt the Aussie an unlucky hand.
"He got a bit unlucky with the Virtual Safety Car, and that cost him probably 10 seconds and allowed [Sergio] Perez to get effectively a free stop ahead of him.
"But that is the run of the green. You cannot anticipate when there is going to be a Virtual Safety Car. He then cleared Perez and was slowly catching on the group – but the damage was done to his race.
"He is going to have a couple of Sundays come up where everything will fall his way and it will be swings and roundabouts."
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