'Nico’s championship isn't Max's responsibility' - Horner

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Red Bull team boss Christian Horner thinks Max Verstappen should not refrain from racing Formula One points leader Nico Rosberg in order not to disrupt his title charge.

The Dutchman put the Mercedes driver under pressure at the start of last weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, with Rosberg electing to take evasive action and cut through the grass. Verstappen later tried a bold lunge on the inside of the German, but ended up running wide and losing ground.

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff was not impressed with the 19-year-old’s behaviour and said he should not be so aggressive when the title is at stake.

“Nico’s championship isn’t Max’s responsibility,” Horner offered in response. “He sees a gap and he goes for it, that’s what makes him such an exciting driver.

“He saw a gap, he went for it, he couldn’t quite get the car stopped in time down at Turn 4. There was an opportunity with a backmarker that had created it so he went for it.”

Horner was all the more satisfied with Verstappen’s challenge on Rosberg that it highlights in his view the fact that Red Bull continues to close the gap to the triple world champions.

“For Max to be able to have a go at Nico, having tailed him all the way through the race, is really good news.

“We’re chipping away, chipping away and you’re not seeing the margins that Mercedes had in previous years, which bodes well not just for this year but I think for a more competitive Formula One in 2017.”

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Julien Billiotte