Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has lauded Max Verstappen as one of Formula One's "hottest properties" following his sensational promotion from Toro Rosso.
Verstappen, 18, will make his Red Bull debut in Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix after being called-up to replace Daniil Kvyat.
While Horner conceded it was a "harsh" decision to axe the Russian following his error-strewn display at the last race in Sochi, the Red Bull chief believes the promotion will fend off any challenge from rival teams - with Ferrari leading the queue - for Verstappen's services.
"Max Verstappen, make no mistake about it, he is one of the hottest properties in Formula One," said Horner.
"So, it is only natural that other teams will be showing an interest in a driver that is demonstrating this kind of ability and talent.
"This move kills off the driver market regarding Red Bull drivers for the foreseeable future."
Verstappen became Formula One's youngest-ever driver when he competed in his first race at last year's season opener as a 17-year-old in Melbourne.
His mature displays, and impressive race craft have already seen him mooted as future Formula One champion.
Horner added: "Certain people said it was too early when he came in, and I think he has proved to be one of the most exciting things about Formula One.
"He has demonstrated that he has got a great amount of natural talent, great natural ability, he can overtake, he can race. He has got an awful lot to learn but he has got a very mature head on young shoulders and everything I have seen of his development so far has impressed me enormously. I think that curve will continue.
"He is going up against one of the very best drivers in Formula One as a benchmark. The way Daniel Ricciardo is driving at the moment, I don't think there is a better driver in Formula One, so the pairing is fantastically exciting for us."
Horner admitted he has sympathy for Kvyat, but did not close the door on the Russian returning to Red Bull.
"It is a harsh decision and feeling sorry for Dany, on one hand you could say he is not driving a Red Bull racing car, but he is still driving a competitive car in Formula One.
"I think he takes some solace from the fact that any other driver who hasn't succeeded at Toro Rosso or Red Bull hasn't been retained. If we didn't believe in him as a talent he would not have been retained."
Source: PA
