Christian Horner revealed that Max Verstappen had a problem with his radio in the final moments of the Canadian GP, resulting in some communication difficulties.
Christian Horner revealed that Max Verstappen had a problem with his radio in the final moments of the Canadian GP, resulting in some communication difficulties.
The Dutchman had tense last laps at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve due to strong pressure from Carlos Sainz, but he kept his cool and secured his sixth win of the 2022 season.
When asked if it was a fairly comfortable weekend, the Red Bull boss refuted the idea.
"It was not comfortable at all in those final 10 laps after the virtual safety car (VSC)," he told .
"Because Max couldn't break the DRS and Ferrari were very fast on the straights. They were able to attack the zebras and stay close. However, he didn't make any mistakes."
To add to the drama of the final stages of the race, there were Verstappen's radio problems, but Horner acknowledges that this did not seem to hurt the world champion.
"We lost communication with the car, or it was just one-way traffic," he explained. "He could hear us, we couldn't hear him, but I don't think he needed to listen to us too much!"
Horner also praised Sainz for his continued pressure on Verstappen in the battle.
"All credit to Carlos, he pushed hard. And the strategy was not clear because we stopped earlier in the first VSC. We felt it was the best way to go at the end of the race."
"Then obviously came the next VSC. Carlos also got an effectively free pit-stop and obviously was in a perfect situation for the end. It was super tight."