SILVERSTONE – Christian Horner stated that Red Bull needs to mentally prepare for a future without Max Verstappen, whether his departure occurs next year or later in the decade.
Speculation surrounding Verstappen`s future has been a major topic in the Formula 1 news recently.
Mercedes head Toto Wolff has clearly indicated his interest in signing the Dutch driver. Verstappen`s contract includes a clause that could allow him to leave next year if he is positioned lower than third place in the championship standings by the August summer break.
Currently, Verstappen sits third, just nine points ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell, whose contract extension discussions are reportedly on hold until the situation is clearer.
Speaking on Friday ahead of the British Grand Prix, Horner again dismissed the situation as `noise.` He added, `Everyone is very clear on where we are. Max has been with Red Bull from the very beginning of his career. All his success has been achieved in Red Bull Racing cars. He is a significant part of our team. He has a great deal of trust in the team and the people around him.`
`I think we all feel quite comfortable with our current position and the situation. You cannot control the narrative of others, but internally we know where we stand,` Horner continued.
However, Horner offered an interesting perspective on his current mindset, suggesting he has considered a future for the team without the four-time world champion.
`Max is a key part of our team, and has been for nearly 10 years now. The intention is to keep that going,` Horner said. `But one day, whether it`s a year from now or later, there will be a time when Max is no longer at Red Bull.`
`You always have to keep that in mind; the team must continually look ahead and invest in the future. Hopefully, that day is still several years away, but you never know. You are always investing in young talent. You are always providing opportunities, like we did today with Arvid Lindblad [who participated in first practice instead of Yuki Tsunoda], to see the next generation coming through. Because one thing is certain in this business: nothing stands still.`
Verstappen`s contract with Red Bull is valid until the end of 2028, but on Thursday, he avoided multiple chances to definitively state he would be with the team next year, remaining generally evasive about his future.
Russell has maintained confidence that he will receive an extension with Mercedes and has repeatedly said he has not engaged in discussions with any other teams about next year.
When asked if Russell might be a potential alternative for Red Bull if Verstappen were to leave, Horner commented, `It`s remarkable that George is still available on the market. We haven`t engaged in any discussions with George, so he`s likely quite confident that he will remain where he is. But look, we have strength and depth within our team. We have the Racing Bulls team; we have Arvid Lindblad.`
`2026 is set to be a year of transformation. It represents the biggest rule change for Formula 1, and honestly, nobody can definitively predict the pecking order at this stage. So, I believe there`s a lot of subjectivity regarding 2026, and only at this time next year will we have a clearer picture of that pecking order. There are no guarantees that stepping into a Mercedes car would automatically be a better option.`
This significant rule change in 2026, impacting both aerodynamics and engines, adds uncertainty to Verstappen`s situation that might not otherwise exist.
Simply put, every team is embarking on an entirely new project, making it impossible to forecast the hierarchy at this point.
Red Bull is ending its successful partnership with Honda and will begin building engines at its Milton Keynes facility.
Honda will collaborate with Aston Martin, a team bolstered by the arrival of former Red Bull designer Adrian Newey. Many within the paddock anticipate that Mercedes` engine will be the strongest in 2026.
However, engine strength alone doesn`t guarantee success – Mercedes` own engine partner, McLaren, is currently outperforming them and comfortably leading both championships.
Red Bull could be forgiven for experiencing a sense of déjà vu at the potential loss of a four-time world champion. In 2015, Sebastian Vettel departed for Ferrari after struggling in 2014 to replicate the form that had earned him four consecutive championships.
While Horner acknowledged the similarities, he stressed that Red Bull is confident their new project will eventually become a formidable force, even if it doesn`t happen immediately.
`Sebastian left after a significant regulation change. In 2014, the [Mercedes] engine completely dominated everyone. He received a dream offer from Ferrari and decided that was his future path. I recall [Red Bull founder] Dietrich Mateschitz telling me at the time that we don`t need the best driver if we don`t have the best car at that stage.`
`It`s about building a team… sport goes in cycles. We have enjoyed two incredibly successful cycles in Formula 1, and what we aim to do is build towards the next cycle. Naturally, we want that to be with Max, but we understand the pressure involved next year as we enter as a new power unit manufacturer. The challenge is immense, but we possess a highly capable group of people.`
`We have invested significantly. We have a great culture within the team. And, who knows? To expect us to be ahead of Mercedes next year would be embarrassing for Mercedes or any manufacturer if we were. But I believe we will be in a competitive position, potentially even relative to where we stand today compared to other power unit manufacturers.`
`I think there`s everything to compete for. What`s great is having everything under one roof, with the chassis engineers working alongside the power unit engineers. This shouldn`t be underestimated when considering packaging; having the ability for these groups to communicate and talk directly over a cup of coffee within the same facility is priceless, and that will yield benefits.`
`Perhaps it won`t be in 2026, but in 2027, 28, and beyond, for the long term, it is 100% the right approach for Red Bull.`
