Christian Horner has knocked back criticism that Max Verstappen‘s stranglehold on Formula One is ‘boring’ by describing his star driver’s unstoppable form as a ‘golden moment’.

Verstappen claimed his fourth win from the five rounds so far this season with a commanding drive at Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix to establish a 25-point championship lead.

The Dutch driver has failed to triumph at only two of the last 23 races staged in the sport, and he is the overwhelming favourite to secure a fourth world crown in as many seasons.

Speaking prior to Sunday’s race, Lando Norris, who finished runner-up to Verstappen in Shanghai, admitted that seeing the ‘same driver win without a fight is boring’, and a ‘turn-off’ for fans.

But addressing claims that Verstappen’s dominance is damaging the sport, Red Bull team principal Horner said: ‘You have to appreciate success. Max is a special talent and this is a golden moment for him.

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Christian Horner (left) has fired back at criticism that Max Verstappen’s stranglehold on Formula One is ‘boring’, urging that his dominance is a ‘golden moment’ for him and the sport

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Lando Norris, who finished second behind Verstappen at the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend, claimed that the Dutchman’s dominance is ‘boring’ and a ‘turn-off’ for Formula One fans

READ MORE: Chinese Grand Prix winners and losers – A near-perfect weekend for Max Verstappen as he strolls to victory… and Lewis Hamilton secures top 10 spot despite disaster

‘As we have seen with every single driver in the past, it doesn’t last forever. It is about enjoying the moment and being in the moment and there are no guarantees we can give him a car like this for the next five years.

‘Max is just a metronome. The pace he showed last year, he has continued that through.

‘And since the last Chinese Grand Prix in 2019, he has won 50 per cent of all the races. He has won 21 out of the last 23 races. He is in fantastic form, at one with the car and the team and enjoying his racing.’