Red Bull team boss Christian Horner once again said at Silverstone on Friday that he assumes that Max will remain Verstappen. The Brit could nevertheless not completely exclude a departure from his driver.
“There is an incredible amount of talking,” Horner responded to the countless rumors about the future of Verstappen in recent days. “But the most important thing is the relationship between the driver and the team. We also have an agreement that confirms that. It is very clear to everyone where we are.”
Horner understands that Verstappen is interesting for other teams in the Pitsstraat. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff did not revolve last week that the four-time world champion remains interesting.
“But in the end all unleashed by George Russell, especially to help himself and to get clarity about his expiring contract,” said Horner. “That is understandable. But there is a clear situation between Max and Red Bull.”
That situation is as follows: Verstappen has a contract up to and including 2028, but can possibly fall in the meantime if Red Bull’s performance is disappointing. Horner of course did not want to tell what those clauses look like.
“The contract between the team and the drivers remains confidential. But there is always a performance mechanism in it and that is therefore the case with Max. But his intention at the moment is absolutely to ride with us in 2026.”
Horner was confronted with the absence of confirmation by Verstappen himself. Also on Thursday at Silverstone, De Limburger did not want to answer whether he was driving for Red Bull in 2026. This keeps the door for speculation at least ajar.
“He has said a number of times that he wants to end his career in a Red Bull car if his contract ends in 2028. That is unique. So we focus on that. And we ignore all the sound and try to improve our car,” said Horner.
The Brit did admit that a departure from Verstappen would be a big blow to Red Bull. “Max has been a key part of our team for ten years. The intention is to continue that. There will be a day that he is no longer there. You always keep in mind that you have to look for a replacement. Hopefully that will take years, but you never know. Nothing stands still in this sport.”
“But Max has been with us from the start,” Horner continued. “He has had all his success with us. And he has a lot of confidence in this team and the people around it. There will always be speculation, but we feel good where we are at the moment.”
Horner was still asked who Verstappen can possibly replace if the Limburger still leaves. The Brit looked smiling at McLaren team boss Zak Brown next to him: “Oscar Piastri?”
Horner is surprised that his countryman Russell has not yet extended at Mercedes. “It is remarkable that he is still on the market. We have not yet talked to him, and he is also clearly confident that it will be okay at Mercedes.”
The team boss then went deeper into attracting a replacement. “We have depth ourselves in our people at Red Bull. You can see that in the drivers at Racing Bulls and Arvid Lindblad, who did very well today in the first free practice. We still want the best possible setup, so we would not hesitate to get someone from outside. We have done that before.”
With the great change in the rule in 2026, it is risky, according to Horner, to assume that a certain team will do well the next year. “Next year you only have a cautious indication. There are absolutely no guarantees that you have better chances if you jump into a Mercedes next year. Literally everyone can have the best car in 2026.”
Nevertheless, Horner also realizes that there are uncertainties about the new engine that Red Bull builds for next year in collaboration with Ford himself.
“We also understand that we are facing a huge challenge. But we have great people and a great culture. I think we are going to be competitive and will not relate to the rest of the rest than now. I am not saying that we are in front of Mercedes. That would also be embarrassing. But I don’t expect us to drive far behind it.”
Horner ultimately sees the benefits. “We get everything under one roof. That should not be underestimated. If everyone in the same building can communicate with each other, that is very valuable. Perhaps not immediately in 2026, but certainly in the long term.”
Red Bull Team Boss Christian Horner Said Again on Friday at Silverstone That He Assumes Max Verstappen Will Stay. Neverberness, The Briton Could Not Completely Rule Out A Departure of his Driver.
“There is an Incredible Amount of Talk,” Horner Responded to the Numerous Rumors About Verstappen’s Future in Recent Days. “But the most important thing is the relationship between the driver and the team. We also have an agreement that confirms this. It is very clear to everyone where we stand.”
Horner Understands That Verstappen is Interesting to Other Teams in the Pit Lane. Mercedes Team Boss Toto Wolff Already Made No Secret Last Week That the Four-Time World Champion Remains Interesting.
“But this was Ultimately unleashed by George Russell, Mainly to Help himself and Gain Clarity about his expiring contract,” Horner Said. “That’s understandable. But there is a clear situation between max and red bull.”
That situation is as follows: Verstappen Has a Contract Until 2028, But Can Possible Get Out Of It In The MeeanTime IF Red Bull’s Performances Disappoint. Horner naturally did not want to say exactly what those clauses look like.
“The contract between the team and the drivers remains confidential. But there is always a performance mechanism in it and that is also the case with max. But his intention at the moment is absolutely to drive for us in 2026.”
Horner was confronted with the Lack of Confirmation by Verstappen himself. Also on Thursday at Silverstone, The Limburger Did Not Want to Answer the Question of WHETER He will drive for red bull in 2026. This leaves the by open for speculation at Least Ajar.
“He has alreaty said a number of times that hey to end his career in a red bull car when his contract expires in 2028. That is unique. So that is what we are focusing on. And we are ignoring all the noise and trying to improve our,”. “
The Briton Did Admit That a Departure of Verstappen would be a major blow for red bull. “Max Has Been a Key Part of Our Team For Ten Years. The Intention is to Continue that. There. There. There. There is no longer there. You always keep in the back of your mind that you have to look for a replacement. Hopefully that still for years.
“But Max Has Been with us from the Beginning,” Horner Continued. “He has all his success with us. And he has a lot of confidence in this team and the people around him. There will always be speculation, but we feel good about where we are at the moment.”
Horner was still Asked Who Could Possible Replace Verstappen Should the Limburger Leave. The Briton Looked Smiling at McLaren Team Boss Zak Brown Next to Him: “Oscar Piastri?”
Horner is surprised that compatriot russell has not yet extended his contract with mercedes. “Remarkable that he is still on the market. We have not yet spoken to him, and he is also clearly confident that things will be alright with mercedes.”
The Team Boss Then Went Deeper Into Attracting A Replacement. “We have depth in our people at red bull. You can see that in the drivers at racing bulls and in arvid lindblad, who did very well in the first free practice today. Still, we want the best possible line-up, so we’d not hatitate.”
With the major rule change in 2026, accordance to horner, it is in any case risky to assume that a certain team will do well next year. “Next year you will only have a Cautious indication. There are absolutely no Guarantees That you Will Have Better Chances if you Jump Into A Mercedes Next Year. Literally Everyone Can Have The Best Car in 2026.”
However, Horner also sees that are uncertainties about the new Engine that red bull is building itsself for next year in collaboration with Ford.
“We also understand that we are facing a huge challenge. But we have great people and a great culture. I think we are going to be competitive and not relate to the rest of mus differently than we do now. to be far behind. “
Horner Ultimately Sees Mainly the Benefits. “We get every one one roof. That should not be underestimated. Ifyone in the same building can communicate with each mind, that is very valuable. Maybe not direct in 2026, but certainly in the long term.”