Formula One world champion Max Verstappen has stated that the recent sacking of Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner will have no bearing on his own future with the team, insisting he remains fully committed and considers the outfit a “second family.”
Speaking ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, the Dutchman appeared relaxed and in good spirits despite the recent upheaval at Red Bull. Horner’s dismissal earlier this month brought an end to his 20-year reign and sparked widespread speculation about Verstappen’s future, particularly amid reported interest from Mercedes.
“Management decided they wanted to steer the ship in a different direction probably,” Verstappen said. “Everyone else, of course, has to agree to that and look forward. And I am looking forward. I’m equally also excited for the team now moving forward because that’s what we have to do. Looking back doesn’t make sense. It’s not going to make you faster.”
Verstappen, who has claimed all four of his world titles with Red Bull since 2021, emphasised that Horner’s departure did not affect their personal relationship. “The relationship between myself and Christian, for example, that doesn’t change. Of course, he’s not here now during a race weekend, but it’s still like a second family to me,” he said.
Red Bull’s owners, he added, were well within their rights to make changes at the top. Verstappen’s father, former F1 driver Jos Verstappen, had previously fallen out with Horner and was vocal in calling for his exit. Addressing this, the younger Verstappen said: “People are entitled to disagree,” and confirmed he had spoken to Horner recently.
“The only thing that matters is that we work on the car and make it as fast as we can make it, really… the last one and a half years have not been what we want to be,” he admitted.
Pressed on whether he could still leave Red Bull despite being contracted until 2028—with performance-related release clauses in place—Verstappen joked: “There is also a possibility I don’t wake up tomorrow. So then there is no driving at all. Life is unpredictable. But in general, I’m very happy where I’m at.”
Though his fifth consecutive title looks increasingly unlikely as McLaren surge ahead this season, Verstappen said he still hoped to finish his career at Red Bull.
Asked whether he was surprised by Horner’s abrupt exit, Verstappen replied: “I think in this world, things like that, they can happen. And when they told me I was like ‘OK’. I don’t need to go into detail what they said, but I said ‘OK, if you guys think that this is the way forward, I’m the driver. You decide and this is how we’re going to do it.’”
The Dutchman was also positive about Horner’s successor, former FIA and Ferrari man Laurent Mekies. “I like Laurent. He’s a very nice guy, first of all, very clever guy. He’s been in different areas of the F1 paddock as well. And I think that can be helpful,” Verstappen concluded.