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Horner learned something new about Verstappen after Brazil GP

Horner learned something new about Verstappen after Brazil GP: 'Jos told me that'

6 November 2023 at 14:17

When Max Verstappen crossed the finishing line victorious in the Brazilian Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing played Tom Jones' song 'Green Green Grass of Home' on the team radio. Christian Horner explains why that song was chosen.

Horner explains special moment for Verstappen

Verstappen even sang along to the song but already concluded himself that he was not such a talented singer. His race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase also advised the Dutchman not to give up his day job for a singing career.

Horner explained after the Formula 1 race at Interlagos how the song choice came about. "It was the most unlikely song, but Jos told me in Qatar. I said 'what's his favourite song?' He went 'Green Green Grass' by Tom Jones," he is quoted by Reuters.

The Red Bull team boss thought it was an unusual choice for a 26-year-old, but the song is of historical value for Verstappen, it turns out. Back in the days when Jos Verstappen travelled with his son to all kart races in Europe, Tom Jones' song was always on in the car on the way back.

"He absolutely loved it. He knew all the words," Horner added. "Obviously after the Spice Girls I was thinking he would be totally into Ed Sheeran or somebody, a contemporary of his age range. But Tom Jones?"