Max Verstappen has been linked with an exit from Red Bull and has even been approached by their rivals Mercedes and McLaren in the last year – though the four-time world champion remained loyal to the team
Red Bull chief Christian Horner insists Max Verstappen is committed to the team despite fears the Dutchman could leave, as he admitted there will always be “commotion” over a driver of his stature.
Verstappen has been approached by both McLaren and Mercedes in the last year but the four-time world champion opted to stay put in a bid to keep Red Bull on track for the F1 title.
He has had a difficult season so far and finds himself third in the Formula One drivers’ championship standings, 43 points behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri at the top.
And a clause in Verstappen’s contract will allow him to leave the team should he finish below third place in the table.
Speaking to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, Horner said he had no worries about Verstappen and felt the pair had a good relationship together, despite advisor Helmut Marko admitting there were “concerns” about his future.
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“No, he has always been loyal to the team and Red Bull in general. We have grown together,” Horner told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. “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.
“For me, relationships are more important than contracts. If you have to point to a contract, it mainly shows that a relationship doesn’t work.
“A contract is something you sign and that contains principles, 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.”
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff was keen on recruiting Verstappen last year, but earlier this year he said the move was “not on any radar”, suggesting their interest had cooled.
McLaren boss Zak Brown also chased Verstappen and admitted he phoned the Dutchman to find out where he stood with Red Bull.
But Horner said he was unfazed about the interest in his star driver as he said: “They wouldn’t be doing their job properly if they didn’t. But that doesn’t automatically mean Max will leave. It’s just part of Formula 1.”
It comes amid a tough time for Red Bull, who have been left trailing behind McLaren after designer Adrian Newey left for Aston Martin, and have been having issues with their car this year.
While Verstappen has been struggling, Red Bull made an early switch to demote Liam Lawson as his No 2 driver and replace him with Yuki Tsunoda – but the move has not been successful in increasing their position in the standings.
