In the Red Bull headquarters in Milton Keynes there is a hangar where all the Red Bull single-seaters are stored. After eight years of waiting, the time has come to deliver another World Champion car, accompanied by Max Verstappen, complete with a ‘World Champion’ cap and Christian Horner.
The two retraced the highlights of the 2021 Formula 1 season in a video, exchanging memories of a very intense and triumphal year, destined to cement their partnership. Here are a few.
First lap in full
Silverstone, RB16B shakedown. “It was incredibly hot – Max remembers – and I remember that although we couldn’t use the race tires, I had the feeling that we were on the right track. Looking back today, it was a truly special moment “.
“Well, normally in a shakedown, things take it easy – adds Horner – and instead you made it right on the first lap! Absolutely in full swing, from the first lap of the season, the first lap of 2021! ”.
The first leadership
Monaco Grand Prix, second success of the season and for the first time Verstappen is the leader in the championship standings.
“As you know, until the eve of the weekend, Monaco wasn’t full of exceptional memories – underlines Max with a smile – let’s say that over the years I have left my mark on some barriers around there. But when you are leading the race and the car works well, it’s all a matter of concentration ”.
“I remember you told me that it was the most boring race of your life – replies Horner – but a lot of boredom, it was an important moment”.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1st position, and the Red Bull team celebrate the victory
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Baku and beers for ‘Checo’ Pérez
“It had to be a double win for us – Max remembers – then the disappointment of the tire failure and all the rest. Luckily Checo saved the team’s day, we all did a great job that weekend ”.
“Sergio has been a great teammate this year – Horner confirms – the relationship between you two has been fantastic. He reminded me that you owe him a beer! ”.
“We also do a few more – replies Max – and with great pleasure”.
The Zandvoort nightclub
“Incredible scenes – smiles Max – Thinking back now … they were all there to see me win, but we were in a very close fight with Mercedes and it was not obvious to succeed”.
“It was like being in a nightclub for three days in a row! – Horner recalls – I remember that on the starting grid there was a crazy noise, and I wondered how I managed to move all these people, to generate this passion. And you were there in total control of the situation, well, I think it was a great race ”.
Goodbye Honda or … goodbye!
“I love this engine – says Max embracing the Honda power unit – they did an extraordinary job, and if it hadn’t been for the Silverstone crash we would have completed the season with three power units. This aspect is also something truly incredible ”.
“It was a very exciting World Championship for them too – recalls Horner – because it allowed them to beat previous records that date back to the Senna era. They are proud to be able to put your name on their World Champions list. It’s a shame they stopped, but who knows … maybe they’ll come back. In the meantime, we will send them one of the cars in white livery, the one from Istanbul, made in their honor ”.
The cars of Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, second place, and Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB16B, third place, in Parc Ferme
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
The split of the year and dad Pérez
“The Mexican fans have always been very warm – explains Max – but with Checo in the team he was full of Red Bull supporters everywhere. It was a crazy weekend, I was happy to have won the race, but also to see Checo on the podium, and obviously the joy of his father … I think he is still celebrating ”.
“When the car slowly climbed onto the podium – Horner remembers with a smile – for a moment I thought it would come out with Checo’s dad inside! But the first corner of that weekend will remain with me, it was one of the key moments of the year ”.
Give everything, until the end
“I don’t think it would have been possible to imagine a crazier ending – comments Max with a smile – if they had told me before I would have feared a heart attack”.
“I think I almost had it – replies Horner – there were ten laps to go and Adrian was sitting on the wall next to me with his head in his hands, and then … everything reopens. Incredible”.
“Checo is now the ‘defense minister’ for what he did, the best defense ever!”
Then comes the dedication of both on a wall where all the team members have written a message.
Max’s is “Full send always”, always giving everything, without thinking too much about the consequences.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
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