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Red Bull’s Confidence in Verstappen Amid Speculation
Christian Horner, the principal of Red Bull Racing, remains unfazed by the swirling rumors concerning Max Verstappen’s future with the team. Despite recent comments from Helmut Marko suggesting potential doubts about Verstappen’s commitment, Horner is confident that the four-time world champion will remain with Red Bull for the upcoming season.
Speculation intensified after Marko voiced concerns to Sky Germany regarding Verstappen’s inclination to stay with Red Bull in light of the team’s performance struggles this season. This renewed speculation has reignited past links between Verstappen and teams like Mercedes and Aston Martin, although Verstappen himself has emphasized his focus on helping Red Bull improve and expressed contentment in his current role.
Marko has hinted that Verstappen’s contract, which extends to the end of 2028, contains a break clause tied to the team’s competitive status. However, during a conversation with Sky Sports F1, Horner dismissed these rumors. When probed about the possibility of Verstappen staying with Red Bull in 2026, Horner confirmed his expectations, stating, “I think noise is exactly the right word to describe it.”
According to Horner, there has been considerable speculation surrounding Verstappen both inside and outside the team, but the driver recently reiterated his commitment. He stressed the team’s priority of improving car performance and assured that Verstappen is a dedicated member of Red Bull, calling the rest “speculation and hearsay.”
In response to Marko’s remarks, Horner acknowledged that his colleague is entitled to his own perspective while reinforcing that the focus should be on performance rather than speculation, particularly if the team can improve their racing results.
Horner also addressed the team’s extensive efforts during the practice session in Jeddah, where they explored different setup configurations to enhance the performance of their RB21 car. He noted that Verstappen experienced a slight disadvantage during the first sector, as the Dutch driver reported challenges with the car’s handling in the initial corners of the circuit.
“People will always have their concerns,” Horner stated, reflecting on the mixed emotions experienced by the team after a victory in Japan followed by difficulties in Bahrain. “We are very much focused on sorting this car out.” He added that the session was an opportunity to experiment with various setups, and they now have valuable data to analyze.
As it stands, Red Bull finds itself in third place in the 2025 championship standings, trailing leaders McLaren by 80 points, despite Verstappen’s recent triumph at Suzuka. The team remains committed to resolving its performance issues as it prepares for upcoming races.
Source
www.autosport.com