Christian Horner rejects Verstappen 'boring' claims and praises golden moment

Christian Horner has knocked back criticism that Max Verstappen's stranglehold on Formula One is "boring" by describing his star driver’s unstoppable form as a "golden moment".

Verstappen claimed his fourth win from the five rounds so far this season with a commanding drive at Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix to establish a 25-point championship lead.

The Dutch driver has failed to triumph at only two of the last 23 races staged in the sport, and he is the overwhelming favourite to secure a fourth world crown in as many seasons.

Speaking prior to Sunday’s race, Lando Norris, who finished runner-up to Verstappen in Shanghai, admitted that seeing the "same driver win without a fight is boring", and a "turn-off" for fans.

But addressing claims that Verstappen’s dominance is damaging the sport, Red Bull team principal Horner said: "You have to appreciate success. Max is a special talent and this is a golden moment for him.

"As we have seen with every single driver in the past, it doesn’t last forever. It is about enjoying the moment and being in the moment and there are no guarantees we can give him a car like this for the next five years.

"Max is just a metronome. The pace he showed last year, he has continued that through.

"And since the last Chinese Grand Prix in 2019, he has won 50 per cent of all the races. He has won 21 out of the last 23 races. He is in fantastic form, at one with the car and the team and enjoying his racing."

Verstappen also won the first sprint round of the season in Shanghai.

The dash to the chequered flag took place before qualifying for Sunday’s main event in a rejig this year.

Verstappen, 26, has often criticised the format, and although he agreed the new schedule is better than in previous years, he urged