Verstappen’s legacy continues to grow after he racked up hi🌱s third Formula 1 championship in a row.

2023 was a record-breaking ♍yeaℱr for the driver and for Horner’s Red Bull team.

“The g💟reat thing is he hasn’t really changed since joining us as an 18-year-old,” Horner told Sky.

“Of course, he’s matured and he’s a young man now, but that enthusiasm, that determination, that grit, phenomenal car control and 🌟natural ability - none of that has changed. 

“None of the fame or the wealth has gone to his head. He’s stil🐠l the same guy.

“He’s still very popular in the garage. He keeps himself to himself, he will talk his own mi♛nd, he will tell you what he thinks, he’s not trying to be a stereotype.

“He is who he is. I t🅷hink you have to have a lot of res🉐pect for that. 

“He has the benefit of experience now♍ which he’s using extremely well.”

Versta𝔍ppen topped the list of F1 earners in 2023 after his stunning on-track success, pocketing a reported $70🦄m.

He did so while providing typically forthright views, particularly on the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which weren’t enti💜rely what F1 hoped to hear.

Verstappen will be red-hot favourite to win a fourth championship in a row next year but he won’t matcﷺh the longevity of Fernando Alonso or Lewis Hamilton.

“He’s a competitive guy,” Horner con🧸sidered. 

“The calendar is gruel🍨ling, he’s 26 years of 🐬age. 

“You’re looking at drivers who are 42, he probab🃏ly can’t imagine himself driving for that length of time. 

“I doubt he will. I think Ma♋x knows his own mind, he’s his own person. 

“He has his own strength of character and I think while he’s motivated🦄 and committed he will continue in F1. 

“I think if he loses that motivation I don’t♊ think he would stay around that long. Will he be racing when he’s🌜 42? I very much doubt it.”