Horner impressed: 'Verstappen is very special'

"Max has broken a record today. An impeccable drive, the first car to lead from the pole through the first corner," Horner said in a conversation with Viaplay. Normally, drivers starting from P2 or P3 have an advantage as they can benefit from a substantial slipstream on the long straight. "He controlled the race. We made the strategy call right, soft and the medium was definitely the better tyres."

Praise for Verstappen and Perez

Perez eventually finished third, where a second place might also have been possible. The Mexican's pit stop took five seconds, whereas it is normally possible in around two-and-a-half seconds. "We had an issue in the pitstop but his recovery by passing Ferrari and Russell, great performance from him. Fantastic to see both drivers on the podium here."

Verstappen was again a class act at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriquez, as he has so often been this season. "He is something very special and we are witnessing something very special. He is operating at an incredibly high level. A race like today, the control he had to lengthen out the soft stint, match his pace on the medium," Horner praised.

Horner still sees big goals for Red Bull

Heading into the final Grands Prix of the year in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, Red Bull has a clear mission. "We got the calls right today. That has to be the target [win the last two]. Checo is back into second in the championship, we've never done that before so that would be the perfect way to finish off the championship."