Horner can't ignore the Oscar winner

CHRISTIAN Horner knows Max Verstappen is up against a “very rounded” competitor in Oscar Piastri but is encouraged by Red Bull’s performance in Saudi Arabia.

- By SCOTT HUNT

Verstappen started on pole but was handed a five-second penalty for cutting the corner to stay ahead of Piastri at turn one, allowing the Australian to take the lead at the pit stops.

He went on to a comfortable win and with it assumed the lead of the drivers’ championship for the first time in his career, overtaking team-mate Lando Norris.

Verstappen’s Red Bull future had dominated pre-race talk in Jeddah after a tough weekend in Bahrain but he delivered a stunning pole lap and showed strong race pace.

Horner knows that Piastri, who now leads Norris by 10 points with Verstappen two further back, is tough opposition for the four-time world champion.