Horner exit doesn’t impact my future – Verstappen

Max Verstappen claims that Christian Horner’s resignation as the team’s principal has no bearing on the decision he makes for himself.

Laurent Mekies, the former boss of second team Racing Bulls, has been appointed in Horner’s place following the British Grand Prix, which was three days after the race.

Verstappen, who was the first to speak out publicly about the changes, said: “I don’t think it will matter if I make a decision in the future.

The only thing that matters is that we work on the car as quickly as we can, really.

Verstappen has options in his contract that could allow him to leave in particular circumstances, the details of which are private, and Mercedes is currently seeking his legal counsel. He is contracted to Red Bull until 2028.

Verstappen won his fourth consecutive world title in 2024, but Red Bull have since lost competitiveness, winning only twice in the final 13 races. Verstappen won his fourth consecutive title in 2024, which Red Bull have lost since the middle of last year.

He leads McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 69 points, having only won 12 grands prix this year, making it his third championship win at the halfway point. McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes are Red Bull’s competitors in the constructors’ championship, finishing fourth.

Verstappen inquired as to whether there was a chance he wouldn’t drive for Red Bull in the following year, adding, “There’s also a chance I won’t wake up tomorrow. So there is no driving at all. Life is therefore unpredictable.

“But overall, I’m very happy where I’m at, and I hope so. You all know that I would drive until the end of my career, as that was still the goal that was set out when we signed the new agreement.

He continued, “Management decided they wanted to steer the ship in a different direction, probably,” in his commentary on Horner’s departure. And then, of course, everyone else must in any case accept that and look forward.

And I’m anticipating it. Of course, Laurent and I have already had a number of meetings.

“You know, he has been incredibly active for the past two weeks,” he said. But yes, I’m equally excited about the team’s next step because we must do it. Looking back, you know, it makes no sense. You won’t be faster with it.

When asked whether Horner’s dismissal as team principal after 20 years surprised him, Verstappen responded, “Surprised. In the end, things like that can happen in this world, after all.

It’s not like they just said, “This is what we just decided,” and then they hung up the phone when they told me that. You know, you’re having a conversation about it.

“OK, if you guys think this is the way forward, I’m the driver, you can decide, and this is how we’re going to do it,” I don’t need to go into great detail about what they said, but it was just that.

Verstappen responded to rumors that Horner’s departure had affected the Red Bull factory in Milton Keynes: “It’s been good. Of course, when something changes like that, people may be a little skeptical on the first day.

“But luckily, I also remember that I spent the day at the factory doing my simulator stuff, largely the day after the announcement.

You simply return to your job. We must concentrate on improving performance by setting up the vehicle in this manner and ensuring that everything is correlated as effectively as possible.

Verstappen was also questioned about the tension between Horner and his father Jos Verstappen over the past 18 months, which was made worse by a female employee’s claims of sexual harassment and coercive, controlling behavior toward him.

The 51-year-old has always denied the allegations, despite the fact that the final verdict has not yet been determined. Two internal Red Bull investigations have dismissed the allegations.