Max Verstappen has endeared himself to F1 fans in the past year, but also to his colleagues and bosses at Red Bull Racing, according to Christian Horner.

The man who brought back the skill and thrill to Grand Prix racing, and conquered his first race win in 2016 at the ripe old age of 18, still puts his pants on one leg at a time.

Rather than acting like a temperamental and prideful sole given his outstanding achievements to date, the young prodigy has kept his head well screwed on as a little story dating back to last year's Canadian GP proves.

When Verstappen was told at Montreal airport that his return trip to Europe in business class had been double-booked and that the only remaining seat was an isolated place in economy class, he gladly excepted the plight without  moaning or a fuss.

"He ended up having to sit down by the toilets in economy," Horner recalled to Motorsport.com.

"With others it would've been a major issue, but [with Max] it was no issue at all. We got: 'No problem, if that's what's available, I'll do it, I'll go down there'.

"And I think that's what's so refreshing about him. It's just enthusiasm for being a Formula 1 driver and doing what he does."

A good attitude away from the race track is just as important as a good one on it, if only to facilitate the team's management of the unavoidable tensions which will arise between the Dutchman and Daniel Ricciardo.

"Max is very, very good - and he's so enthusiastic about everything. He's like a Labrador puppy that just wants to get into everything.

"Whether that's the history of the sport, whether that's what's going on in the junior formulas, or in karting, he loves his racing. He feels privileged to be a Formula 1 driver.

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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.

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