Horner on Verstappen: “You can’t force anyone to be anywhere”

“It’s like everything in life: you can’t force someone to be somewhere just because there’s a piece of paper,” the English trade magazine “Autosport” quoted Verstappen’s team boss Christian Horner as saying on Monday after the Grand Prix in Saudi. Arabia.

• Also read: “I’m staying”: No suspension for Marko at Red Bull

“If someone doesn’t want to work in this team, then we won’t force anyone to work here against their will,” the Brit continued. At Red Bull, this applies to machinists as well as designers – and now also to the star pilot.

Power struggle rages

According to the media, a power struggle is raging at the Austrian-British racing team. On the one hand, there are the Thai majority owners, who continue to support team boss Horner after a scandal. On the other hand, there is the Austrian side of the beverage group around the heirs of co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who died in 2022.

In the Horner case, an employee accused the Brit of inappropriate behavior. After an internal investigation, the complaint was dismissed. However, anonymous emails with juicy details were then sent to journalists and Formula 1 officials, putting the 50-year-old under pressure again. Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko, who is considered Horner’s adversary, was suspected of being the source of the data leak.

“I have no doubt about his commitment and passion”

Verstappen has made it clear that he can hardly imagine a future at Red Bull without his Austrian sponsor. There should also be a corresponding clause in the Dutchman’s contract. “Working in a team like this requires commitment and passion, Max has that,” emphasized Horner. “I have no doubt about his commitment and passion.”

Mercedes is very interested in Verstappen as Lewis Hamilton’s successor. The English record world champion is moving to Ferrari next year. “I would love to have him,” Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff recently said about Verstappen.