CHRISTIAN HORNER knows Max Verstappen is up against a “very rounded” competitor in Oscar Piastri but is encouraged by Red Bull’s performance in Saudi Arabia at the weekend.

Verstappen started on pole but was handed a five-second penalty for cutting the corner to stay ahead of Piastri at turn one, allowing the Australian to take the lead at the pit stops.

He went on to a comfortable win and with it assumed the lead of the drivers’ championship for the first time in his career, overtaking team-mate Lando Norris.