Verstappen deserves more plaudits, says Horner

Max Verstappen is enjoying the most dominant of Formula One seasons but Red Bull team boss Christian Horner reckons the double world champion still deserves more recognition.

The 25-year-old took a record 14th win of the season in Mexico City on Sunday and has now scored more points in a single campaign (416) than anyone ever, breaking Lewis Hamilton's 2019 record of 413.

Even if seasons now have more races, with changed scoring systems, fastest laps and sprints adding to the points available, Verstappen and Red Bull have undeniably raised the bar this year.

The team have won the last nine races and 16 of 20, their greatest haul yet in one championship, and secured both titles for the first time since 2013.

There are still two more races remaining to push the boundaries even further.

"We are actually witnessing something very special. And I sometimes think that his achievements perhaps don't receive the plaudits that they should," Horner told reporters after the race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

"I think actually what we've witnessed this year is an absolutely outstanding performance from a driver who is very much at the top of his game."

There is no question Verstappen gets kudos at home in the Netherlands, just as team mate Sergio Perez does in Mexico, but the sport has become increasingly polarised as it grows in popularity with new audiences.

Social media, as Verstappen observed on Sunday night, has become "a very toxic place" populated by "keyboard warriors" far removed from the racetrack.

"He's won the most grands prix in a year now, within 20 races, on top of that he's won two sprint races and he's not won all of them from pole position," Horner observed.

"He's had to fight and race for a lot of those victories.