Horner: Verstappen will only get better

Verstappen took his maiden win in Spain, on a first outing for Red Bull, and delivered a number of other impressive performances – including a sensational charge from 14th to third in the rain-hit Brazilian Grand Prix.

The Dutchman has no doubts that he now feels ready to launch an assault on the F1 championship if Red Bull can deliver him a car, and Horner believes that his driver can also step up his game.

“I think any sportsman can really improve in all areas,” said Horner. “He is gaining experience all the time.

“He drove a very mature race [last time out in Abu Dhabi] and the way he looked after both the supersoft and the soft tyre was very mature.

“I think as he gains that experience it will hold him in better stead for coming years. There are always areas that you can improve and it is [about] working on those marginal returns.”

Horner thinks the way that Verstappen instantly delivered for Red Bull following his switch from Toro Rosso was proof of his talent and of how he will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

“He has done an enormously impressive job to have jumped in the car, won his first grand prix and then to go on and finish on the numerous podiums he has achieved,” Horner explained.

“The stand out drives for me were not only Barcelona, because he was very strong in Montreal, he drove brilliantly in the wet at Silverstone. He was very strong in Austria, he drove a great GP in Japan. He was strong in Mexico too.

"Brazil was an absolutely outstanding drive and he has produced another great drive [in Abu Dhabi]. He has marked himself out as a man of the future.”