‘Firm but fair’: Horner defends Verstappen over Hamilton move

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says Max Verstappen's defensive move on Lewis Hamilton on the penultimate lap of the Japanese Grand Prix was “firm but fair”.

The Dutchman was holding off the charging Mercedes driver for second place when Hamilton lined up the Red Bull on the approach of the fearsome 130R and the following chicane that concludes a lap around Suzuka.

• AS IT HAPPENED: 2016 Japanese Grand Prix

Hamilton moved for the inside line only for Verstappen to close the door, which forced the triple world champion to swerve left and run wide.

Asked by Sky Sports F1 for his take on the action, Horner said: ‘I thought it was firm but fair. Max was always going to go for the inside line up there. It’s very very tight and the leading car will always go for the inside.

“If Lewis Had gone on the other way around maybe he would have had a chance to do the switch back as they came on to the straight.”

Verstappen’s defensive tactics has come under scrutiny this year following close encounters with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen in Hungary and Belgium.

The 19-year-old has been criticised for changing lines at the very last moment and under braking, but Horner denies he did such thing in Japan.

“I think he committed just before the braking area,” the Red Bull team boss added. “It was only move, decisively on the inside, which he was always going to do. You’re not there to wave the other car through.”

REPORT: Rosberg wins in Japan as Hamilton fights to third

FEATURE: Silbermann says... Snapchat and soap in Suzuka

Chris Medland's 2016 Japanese Grand Prix preview

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