Max Verstappen has broken his silence regarding his father’s recent comments about Christian Horner amidst the ongoing controversy at Red Bull Racing. While the F1 champion typically prefers to let his performance on the track speak for itself, he has been drawn into the situation due to Jos Verstappen’s call for Horner’s dismissal.
Horner, the team principal of Red Bull, was recently cleared of allegations of inappropriate behavior following an investigation prompted by a female team employee. Despite leaked texts and images related to the investigation surfacing just before the start of the new F1 season, Horner, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, maintains his innocence and intends to remain at the helm of Red Bull Racing.
He asserted that the team stood behind him, only for Jos to demand the dismissal of the 50-year-old shortly after Max’s victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix, warning that Red Bull would face serious consequences if Horner remained in his position.
Moreover, the escalating tensions between Horner and Verstappen Sr. have fueled speculation that Max could part ways with the team where he has spent nearly his entire career.
Max, who has clinched the last three championships and is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, finally addressed his father’s remarks on Wednesday ahead of the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
“I’m solely concentrating on the driving aspect, which I believe is the most crucial aspect for the team at present,” the 26-year-old stated. “That’s why we’re here. Our primary objective is to avoid having these issues persist from one race to another because it’s detrimental to the team.”
When questioned about whether his father regrets his statements, Verstappen responded, “I haven’t inquired about that, but based on my knowledge of him from our time in go-karting, my dad is very outspoken, and one thing is for certain, he doesn’t mince his words.”
“My dad and I have a strong bond. We talk every day,” Verstappen remarked.
When questioned about the possibility of not racing for Red Bull in 2025, he replied, “I suppose things would have to get really chaotic for that to happen, but that’s not the goal for anyone, so…”
Should he decide to part ways with Red Bull, Mercedes appears to be the only realistic option, given the available seat there next year, as Sir Lewis Hamilton is slated to move to Ferrari.
Mercedes driver George Russell expressed his openness to Verstappen joining the team and confidently asserted his ability to defeat anyone in equal machinery.
Verstappen has previously expressed his desire to remain with Red Bull for the duration of his career, although there is an option to terminate his long-term contract.
In the midst of these speculations, Hamilton himself commented, stating, “My recent move has demonstrated that anything is possible. The next six months or so are going to be really intriguing.”
“I don’t have any insider information, but I’m sure Max is certainly on Mercedes’ radar. However, I don’t see why he would leave a car that is performing so well.”
Meanwhile, Jos Verstappen is not present in Saudi Arabia for this weekend’s race, although this absence was planned before he made his controversial comments.
