Christian Horner has rejected criticism that Max Verstappen’s dominant streak in Formula One is “tedious,” instead likening his exceptional performance to a “golden era.” Verstappen clinched his fourth victory out of five races this season at the Chinese Grand Prix, solidifying a 25-point lead in the championship.

Out of the last 23 races, Verstappen has only missed victory twice, making him the clear favorite for a fourth consecutive world title. Lando Norris, who came second to Verstappen in Shanghai, expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of competition, calling it dull and off-putting for fans.

Horner denies Formula 1 is ‘boring’ with Verstappen’s dominance

In response to concerns that Verstappen’s dominance is detrimental to the sport, Red Bull team principal Horner emphasized the need to appreciate Verstappen’s success. He described Verstappen as a unique talent and emphasized the fleeting nature of such achievements, urging everyone to savor the moment. Horner highlighted Verstappen’s consistent performance and his remarkable winning streak, noting that he has won half of all races since the 2019 Chinese Grand Prix.

Verstappen’s victory in the first sprint race of the season in Shanghai came before Sunday’s main race, a change in format for this year. Although Verstappen has criticized the sprint format in the past, he acknowledged improvements in this year’s setup. However, he cautioned against overusing sprint races, expressing concerns about the strain it puts on teams and personnel. Verstappen stressed the need to strike a balance, warning against increasing the number of sprint races beyond the current six per season.