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Horner: "Verstappen thought it was over, but we saw a chance"
Christian Horner is very happy Max Verstappen's second place in the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing team boss says that Verstappen almost turned into the pit lane instead of just taking a seat on the starting grid after his damage from an early encounter with the wall. In that case, a podium place would probably not have been possible.
"We made a late call to just let him drive to the grid," said Horner told Sky Sports. Verstappen hit the barrier on the out-lap ahead of the Grand Prix. "Max thought it was over, but we saw from the television that there was still a chance."
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The mechanics were able to repair the front of the Verstappen car in a very short time. They managed to have the tyres fitted ready with about 20 seconds to spare. "The boys have done a great job. To do that in twenty minutes is bizarre. It normally takes an hour and a half," the British chief praises his team. "You saw the sweat on their foreheads."
The eighteen World Championship points for Verstappen come as a surprise. "We split the Mercedes, we could not have dreamed that last night," said Horner, who also liked the performance of Albon. "Alex drove great. He had to come from far on the grid. All credits to him, it was a great recovery. He fought well with the Ferraris and showed great overtaking."
Horner can laugh about it now
The start was a big step towards the podium for Red Bull. "Max opted for the outside, we saw that there was grip in the races that have taken place earlier today. In the second corner, he again went around the outside. He was looking for that grip in the out-lap," Horner jokes.