Verstappen on Red Bull power struggle: “If Mateschitz were still here, many things would have been different”

After his opening victory in Bahrain, Max Verstappen goes into the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah on Saturday as the logical favorite.

The second race of the season is also overshadowed by the issue surrounding Red Bull team boss Christian Horner and the rumored power struggle within the world champion team.

• More on this: The “Horner Files” – Did he offer 760,000 euros in hush money?

Recently there was speculation that the Dutchman could leave the team during the season. Rumors that Verstappen dismissed. “I know what they (Red Bull; note) have done for me in my career. The intention is absolutely to stay with this team,” the 26-year-old told ORF.

The star driver attributed the raging power struggle to some extent to the lack of leadership at Red Bull. “If Dietrich Mateschitz were still here, many things would have been different,” he said of the Red Bull founder, who died in 2022.

Most recently, father Jos Verstappen warned the media of an impending “explosion” for the team if Horner stayed. His son has now made it clear that he stands behind his father’s statements. “I am my father’s son. It would be strange if I were on a different side,” said the three-time world champion.

However, he did not want to deny a possible move to Mercedes, where he is considered the successor to Lewis Hamilton, who is moving to Ferrari. “In life you never know 100 percent what will happen. But I don’t think about it too much,” was his comment on the reports in question.