Horner: 'Huge amount of pressure put on Max by the Mercedes media machine'

Christian Horner believes Mercedes are trying to put extra pressure on Max Verstappen ahead of the all-important Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton also has a part in this, according to the Red Bull Racing team boss, supported by the German team's 'media machine.'

Horner believes Hamilton's comments, combined with Mercedes' influence on the media, have led to the way Verstappen is being portrayed by the British press in particular ahead of the final race.

The Red Bull team boss sees Hamilton using everything he can to throw Verstappen off balance this year, including his statements about the Dutchman. "I believe a huge amount of pressure has been put on Max, supported by the Mercedes media machine," he says in conversation with Racer.com.

For Verstappen, therefore, there is an extra big challenge in his first-ever title fight in Formula 1, according to Horner, as he takes on not only Hamilton, but also the 'huge machine' called Mercedes-Benz. The Briton speaks highly of the way his driver has handled that pressure. "He hasn't been sucked into it and hasn't changed his approach or how he goes racing, from Bahrain to Saudi," Horner said.