Horner: Hamilton has used every tool to put Max under pressure

Christian Horner believes Max Verstappen has been on the receiving end of a narrative which has been pushed to suggest the Dutchman is a dangerous racer – claiming Lewis Hamilton has used “every tool available” to heap pressure on his title rival.

The Red Bull driver goes into the seasonending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tomorrow locked level on points with reigning champion Hamilton.

Tomorrow’s race at the Yas Marina Circuit, therefore, is the battleground where the 2021 championship will be decided – although by virtue of winning more races this season, Verstappen would take the crown if neither driver finishes.

Verstappen’s driving style was widely criticised after an incident at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last weekend.

That has led to suggestions he could look to take Hamilton out of the race tomorrow to ensure his maiden world title, but Horner was bullish when asked if Verstappen – who was hit with two time penalties in Jeddah – is right to feel unfairly treated by race stewards and feels there has been an agenda to influence people against his driver.

“I think that on occasion he has been treated harshly, he has come under scrutiny that we haven’t seen applied consistently with other incidents and he feels aggrieved by that,” Horner said.

“I think the problem for Max is that the scrutiny is on him.

“He has the spotlight positioned on him, he is running at the front and competing against a seven-time world champion.

“He has had allegations about his driving, his driving style and driving standards – there has been a narrative pushed to put pressure on him.

“He has driven fantastically well all year.

“Lewis is a seven-time world champion, most successful of all time, has a standing within the sport.

“What he says carries a lot of weight.

“He has used every tool available to him to put Max under pressure this year, he is a competitive animal, you don’t become a seven-time world champion without being a competitor like he is.

“I believe, aided by the Mercedes media machine, a huge amount of pressure had been placed on Max.

“He is a young lad who does it with bravery, passion, skill and determination.

“He is just a guy living his dream, doing his job but is up against not only Lewis but a huge machine in Mercedes-Benz, all credit to him for the way he has handled it and hasn’t been drawn into it, he has just gone about it, hasn’t changed from Bahrain to Saudi.

“This ‘Mad Max’ scenario, calling him crazy, there has been a very clear narrative.”

Hamilton and Verstappen traded fastest times in the opening two practice sessions yesterday.

Both enjoyed topping the timesheets on the first day of running, Verstappen fastest in the morning before Hamilton dominated the second session.

Lewis Hamilton on the circuit yesterday.