Christian Horner speaks out details on Max Verstappen’s retirement from the Australian Grand Prix after the Red Bull driver’s tense exchange with a mechanic

* Max Verstappen retired with a brake issue early into the Australian Grand Prix
* Verstappen appeared to have a tense exchange with a mechanic after retiring
* Red Bull team principal Christian Horner acknowledged Verstappen’s frustration

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has insisted Max Verstappen’s frustrations were understandable after he was forced to retire from the Australian Grand Prix.

Verstappen had been bidding for a 10th consecutive Grand Prix win, but the reigning three-time world champion saw his challenge end after just four laps.
The Dutchman started from pole but was overtaken by the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz in the early laps.

Shortly afterwards smoke started to come from the rear of Verstappen’s Red Bull, resulting in the Dutchman slowly making his way back to the pits to retire from a race for the first time in two years.
Verstappen appeared to have a tense exchange with a mechanic after climbing out of the smoking vehicle, with the 26-year-old appearing to mouth the word ‘stupid’.

Max Verstappen retired from the Australian Grand Prix from second with a brake issue”
Max Verstappen retired from the Australian Grand Prix from second with a brake issue

The three-time reigning world champion was visibly frustrated following the retirement”
The three-time reigning world champion was visibly frustrated following the retirement