In a recent press conference, Christian Horner, the Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, emphasized that Max Verstappen has expressed a desire to conclude his illustrious career in a Red Bull car. This statement comes amidst swirling rumors linking the talented Dutch driver to Mercedes. Despite the speculation, Horner reassured fans that the team is well aware of their current position regarding Verstappen's future.
During the media day on Thursday, Verstappen remained elusive when asked about his future with Red Bull Racing, simply stating, “I have nothing to add.” This lack of comment only fueled speculation regarding his potential move to rival teams, particularly Mercedes. Horner faced similar inquiries during a press event on Friday and, when pressed about Verstappen’s feelings on the situation, he stated, “There’s obviously an awful lot of people talking about it, but what’s most important is the relationship between the driver and the team.”
According to Horner, “Everybody’s very clear on where we’re at. Max has been with Red Bull since the very start of his career; all of his success has come in Red Bull Racing cars.” This strong bond is critical, as Verstappen has built a significant rapport with the team and has immense faith in its members. He continued, “While there’s always going to be speculation and noise, I think we all sit fairly comfortable with where we’re at and what the situation is.”
When asked if Red Bull had a backup plan should Verstappen decide to leave, Horner humorously suggested, “Oscar Piastri! It’s all as subjective as that.” He reinforced that the focus remains on their current drivers and the relationship they share, noting that Verstappen has a contract that extends until 2028. “He’s made it quite clear that he would like to finish his career in a Red Bull car, from start to finish – I think that’s quite special and unique for him,” he stated.
Horner also hinted that the recent speculation may stem from George Russell's unsigned contract with Mercedes. “The contracts between the drivers and the teams are always going to remain confidential,” he explained. “With any driver’s contract, there is always an element of a performance mechanism, and of course that exists within Max’s contract.” He added that Verstappen's intention is to continue driving for Red Bull through 2026, despite the inevitable interest from rival teams.
When discussing whether Russell could be a potential candidate for Red Bull if Verstappen were to leave, Horner remarked, “It’s remarkable that George is still on the market. We haven’t engaged in any discussion with George, so he’s obviously pretty confident that he’s going to get to retain where he is.” He reassured fans about the strength of Red Bull’s driver lineup, mentioning the promising talents like Arvid Lindblad.
Looking ahead, Horner noted that 2026 is poised to be a pivotal year for Formula 1, with significant rule changes concerning both chassis and power units. “Nobody with hand on heart can know what the pecking order is going to be,” he said. “It could be either McLaren, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Mercedes, or any other team.” He concluded that only time will reveal the true competitive landscape, emphasizing that stepping into a Mercedes car does not guarantee a better outcome.
In summary, while the rumor mill churns regarding Max Verstappen's future, Horner's comments highlight the strong relationship between the driver and Red Bull Racing, pointing to a promising future together.
