Car You Not Entertained?

Horner hails his "gladiator Verstappen and wants him to fight it out with Lew again

- Simon Cass

Christian Horner has told Max Verstappen to take his best shot at title glory after praising his gladiator drive at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Red Bull ace Verstappen finished second in an action-packed race at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit despite being hit with two time penalties totalling 15 seconds.

Reigning champion Lewis Hamilton won after the bitter rivals had once again collided on track.

Victory and a fastest-lap double for Hamilton (below) means he and Verstappen go into Sunday's season-ending race in Abu Dhabi locked on 369.5 points apiece.

The Dutchman's antics polarised the opinion of pundits and fans, while his aggressive driving was branded over the limit” by Hamilton, who had also called him “******g crazy during Sunday's duel.

But Red Bull chief Horner had nothing but praise for his driver and backed him to finish ahead of Hamilton at Yas Marina to take his maiden title.

“Max has fought like a gladiator and given it everything said Horner. “So we now have one chance.

We have a week to regroup and it goes down to the wire.

It's a straight-out fight as it has been for the entire year. For the fans it is fantastic, it keeps the championship dream alive and we have one shot and it's time to take it.