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Christian Horner believes Max Verstappen remains loyal to Red Bull and does not foresee him leaving the team soon. Speaking in an exclusive interview with De Telegraaf, the Red Bull Team Principal and CEO stated that the Dutchman has always been clear and straightforward about his commitment to the team.
Despite ongoing speculation linking Verstappen to Mercedes, Aston Martin and even McLaren for 2026 and beyond, the reigning world champion has consistently dismissed the idea of leaving Red Bull. While several teams have attempted to lure him away, Verstappen, now 27, has reiterated on multiple occasions that he intends to see out his current contract, which runs through the end of 2028.
Horner acknowledged that it’s only natural for rivals like Toto Wolff and Zak Brown to pursue a driver of Verstappen’s calibre and that they wouldn’t be doing their jobs properly if they didn’t. However, he stressed that Red Bull fully understands the importance of Verstappen’s role in the team’s success. While he accepted that parting ways with Verstappen may eventually be inevitable, he firmly believes that it won’t happen anytime soon. According to Horner, there is a mutual loyalty and a clear understanding between the team and Verstappen, one that continues to define their strong working relationship.
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Asked if he feared Verstappen leaving Red Bull in the near future, Horner said:
“No. He has always been loyal to the team and Red Bull in general. We have grown together. He came here as a teenager and is now a 27-year-old father and four-time world champion. With Max you know where you stand. I still think he feels very good here.”
Asked if he thought where Red Bull would be if Verstappen weren’t a part of it, Horner replied:
“Well, it's clear how big Max's contribution is. And I know that one day we'll have to do it without him. Hopefully that will take a few more years. But his performances are incredible and he lifts the whole team with that.”
Asked if he was aware that Wolff and Brown had tried to poach the Red Bull champion, Horner said:
“Of course. They wouldn't be doing their job properly if they didn't. But that doesn't automatically mean that Max will leave. It's just part of Formula 1.”
Red Bull CEO Christian Horner discusses Max Verstappen’s potential as a team principal
Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner believes Max Verstappen would make an excellent team boss on the racing and sporting side, given his deep understanding of the technical and competitive aspects of Formula 1. However, Horner noted that the media and marketing responsibilities associated with the role might not appeal as much to the Dutchman. He also suggested that Verstappen’s technical knowledge and racecraft could make him well-suited to the role of a race engineer in the future.
Horner emphasized that the relationship between Red Bull and Verstappen goes beyond contractual obligations. He explained that their mutual trust and respect are why the team allows Verstappen the freedom to explore other racing projects outside of F1. In Horner’s view, strict contracts often become tools of control when the relationship between a driver and team is strained. In Red Bull’s case, he believes the strong bond with their four-time world champion justifies the flexibility afforded to him.
Asked if Verstappen would make a good team boss, Horner replied:
“I think definitely regarding the sporting side. But the politics, the media and the commercial side of things would drive him crazy, haha! I don't think he would enjoy that. But he does understand racing very well. He could also be a very good race engineer.”
Asked about the endless freedom and support given to Verstappen for his racing projects, the Red Bull Racing CEO replied:
“For me, relationships are more important than contracts. If you have to point to a contract, that mainly shows that a relationship does not work. A contract is something you sign and in which principles are stated, but then it disappears in a drawer. After that, you only refer to it when you have a problem. There will always be commotion in this paddock around a driver of his stature and talent.”
Despite the ongoing turmoil within Red Bull, Max Verstappen has consistently demonstrated his loyalty to the team. His relationship with Team Principal Christian Horner has remained steady, even as his father, Jos Verstappen, has had tensions with the Brit. Amid a challenging season marked by technical issues and a less competitive car, the four-time world champion has continued to deliver exceptional performances, holding his own against a dominant McLaren outfit despite the clear performance deficit.
However, the incident with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix further widened the gap in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ championship standings. Verstappen currently sits third in the drivers’ standings with 137 points, 39 behind Lando Norris and 49 behind championship leader Oscar Piastri. In the Constructors’ championship, Red Bull has slipped from second to fourth, with 144 points, 15 behind Mercedes and 21 behind Ferrari. Their deficit to leaders McLaren now stands at a significant 218 points.
