‘horner Exit Won’t Influence My Future’: Verstappen On Whether He Stays At Red Bull

Max Verstappen has insisted that nan dismissal of his squad main Christian Horner would not beryllium a facet successful deciding whether he remains astatine Red Bull.

The world champion besides revealed that nan daze move aft nan British Grand Prix was led by nan team’s genitor institution Red Bull GmbH, which had been embroiled successful a powerfulness struggle pinch Horner for a twelvemonth and a half.

The Dutchman was addressing nan taxable publically for nan first clip since Horner was dismissed 2 weeks ago. Horner had been successful complaint of Red Bull since 2005 but had travel progressively nether unit aft nan death of Red Bull’s co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz successful 2022. Horner had been embroiled successful a ungraded involving accusations of inappropriate behaviour made against him by an employee, though he was cleared by an investigation.

Speaking earlier nan Belgian Grand Prix, Verstappen revealed he had been told half a time successful beforehand of Horner’s exit. “The past 1 and a half years person not gone really we would person liked and guidance decided they wanted to steer nan vessel successful a different direction,” he said.

“Management and, of course, nan shareholders decided that they wanted a change. They tally nan squad and I’m nan driver truthful immoderate they determine it’s afloat successful their correct to do what they want.”

His father, Jos, was a cardinal fig successful wanting Horner gone but Verstappen, who has won each 4 of his titles pinch Horner successful charge, maintained he was still connected friends position pinch his erstwhile boss. “The narration betwixt myself and Christian, that doesn’t change,” he said. “Of people he’s not present now and we’re doing a title again but it’s still for illustration a 2nd family to me.”

Max Verstappen (right) has won each his world titles nether Christian Horner astatine Red Bull. Photograph: PA Wire/PA

Keeping Verstappen astatine Red Bull was apt to beryllium 1 of nan cardinal reasons down Horner’s dismissal, pinch nan world champion known to person already been progressive successful talks pinch Mercedes. Red Bull person been underperforming for 18 months and Verstappen was profoundly unhappy having already conceded he was retired of nan title conflict this season. However, he denied it would power immoderate determination astir his future.

“No, it doesn’t, really,” he said. “I don’t deliberation it will matter astatine each for my determination successful nan future. The past 1 and a half years person not been wherever we want to be. Now we effort and beryllium much competitive.”

Horner was replaced by Laurent Mekies, nan main of their sister team, Racing Bulls, who will look nan media for nan first clip connected Friday.

Lewis Hamilton, who joined F1 conscionable 2 years aft Horner took complete astatine Red Bull, paid tribute to what he had achieved.

“The squad has been incredible, to spot nan progress,” he said. “I sat pinch Christian backmost successful 2005. I retrieve sitting successful his office, I was successful Formula Three but looking to spell into GP2 for its first twelvemonth and I retrieve sitting pinch him.

“I won’t opportunity we deed it disconnected from nan get-go but to person seen his progression and his career, it was intelligibly singular what he did pinch nan team, pinch a immense group of astonishing people. And to really tally an organisation that large and that good takes talent and skill, and that’s what he brought to nan team.”