Formula 1: New era at Red Bull – but what does it make?

Max Verstappen does not want to waste time about the problems of his long -time boss Christian Horner with too many thoughts. “Looking back makes no sense for me. That doesn’t make you faster,” said the Formula 1 world champion. Instead, for the defending champion before the Grand Prix of Belgium in Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday (3:00 p.m./Sky), “that we work on the car and make it as soon as possible”.

The fact that a new era begins at the Red Bull racing team around the Dutch at the weekend is rather a minor matter for the 27-year-old. Horner was up to the team for 20 years before he was discontinued a week ago. Among other things, eight driver titles – four of Verstappen and four by Sebastian Vettel – celebrated Red Bull under the English. But the past 18 months have not been according to plan, McLaren around World Cup leaders Oscar Piatri passed. This not only caused frustration with Verstappen.

Verstappen is innocent at the Horner-Aus

“Management has decided to steer the ship in a different direction,” said Verstappen. That is why the Frenchman Laurent Mekies (48) takes over, but gets less power than Horner, who had the last word in all decisions. He had not put any pressure on stopping Horner and was only informed about the crotch, said Verstappen. The two know each other for a long time, Horner brought him from his own youth team to the Red Bull at the age of 18. The teenager won the first race, followed by a steep career with years of dominance.

Verstappen said in the paddock in Belgium that he continued to exchange with Horner, just like teammate Yuki Tsunoda. “We already had contact this week,” said the Japanese. Verstappen avoided Horner direct criticism and even thanked him. His father Jos Verstappen had often attacked the ex-boss publicly, even in the scandal about alleged personal misconduct in Horner in dealing with an employee. In addition to the sporting misery, this affair also contributed to dismissal.

Open future: “Life is unpredictable”

Formula 1 is a tough business – those responsible come and go, said Verstappen. “Such things can happen. I am the driver, others decide that,” said the 65-time Grand Prix winner. In any case, the fact that Horner is gone has “no influence” on his future decision, emphasized Verstappen: “We had great years.”

Will there be more? That seems open. Because it has been speculated for months about early farewell to the face of Red Bull Racing. The top driver actually has a contract until the end of 2028, and there are many rumors about exit clauses. “There is also the possibility that I won’t wake up tomorrow. Then I will not drive anymore,” he replied to a journalist when asked whether he wanted to join another team. “Life is unpredictable, but I am happy about where I am.”

No move to Mercedes – or only later?

It is still the goal “that I drive here until the end of my career,” added Verstappen. The coming months will show what these words are worth. Above all, Mercedes shows interest in the exceptionally, but will continue to rely on the regular drivers George Russell (27/Great Britain) and Kimi Antonelli (18/Italy) in the coming season. However, this does not have to mean that Verstappen does not change to the work team of the German car manufacturer in the medium term if things are not going on at Red Bull.

The next race applies to the whole focus, even if the prospects for title number five are bad in its too weak car. On the traditional route in Spa-Francorchamps, he would like to build on old successes. He won three times in a row on the demanding course in the Ardennes. The Grand Prix is also special because it was born in Belgium and also had a Belgian passport until it turned 18. Thousands of fans will come from the Netherlands to cheer him.

Before the 13th of 24 seasonals, Verstappen is only third in the overall ranking, already has 69 points behind Piatri. However, he doesn’t lack motivation: “Spa is a classic and always my favorite route on the calendar. For me it is like a second home race.”