'Genuine respect' - Christian Horner speaks out on evolving rivalry between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc

Red Bull chief Christian Horner believes there is a 'genuine respect' between his own Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc who lead the drivers standings ahead of the fifth race of the season in Miami this weekend. Reigning world champion Verstappen and in-form Leclerc have a long-standing rivalry dating back to their karting days, when the pair were frequently going wheel-to-wheel on track, with fractious battles a regular occurrence.

Ad/> Since their graduation to Formula 1, Verstappen has claimed a world title while the latest rule changes and car developments for this season appear to have worked in Ferrari's favour, with Leclerc showing early signs of eyeing this accolade for himself. Formula 1Hamilton: I’ll decide when my masterpiece is finished28/04/2022 AT 10:35 The duo have two wins each from four races so far.

Leclerc leads the drivers championship with 86 points, while Verstappen lies second with 59, 27 points behind the top spot going into the race in Miami on Sunday. /> Horner, when questioned on the rivalry that has evolved between the drivers, believes their experiences of racing against one another on the karting circuits has created a respect between the young stars.

«I think they've grown up racing each other in karting and so on, and they know each other very well. They come from the same generation, and there is a genuine respect between the two of them.» Verstappen's dominance puts pressure on Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes in Miami 'Quite a lonely journey' — Hamilton speaks about improving diversity in Formula One After the latest race in Imola, where Verstappen took the chequered flag ahead of Leclerc, the man from Monaco claimed there has been little to separate the two men throughout