Max Verstappen opens up on Christian Horner axe and how it affects his Red Bull future

Max Verstappen insists the departure of former boss Christian Horner will have no bearing on the decision about his Formula 1 future. The Dutchman has a contract with the team until 2028 but has been linked with an exit regardless, amid strong speculation he could quit for rivals Mercedes.

At this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, Verstappen and his Red Bill colleagues will race without Horner for the first time. After 20 years in charge, famously never missing a single race in that period, the Brit was removed from his team principal and chief executive roles last week.

Verstappen has been coy whenever asked about his future in recent weeks, often preferring not to make definitive statements, which has only fuelled speculation. But he was very clear when asked if Horner's departure will impact his own future plans.

He replied: "No, not really." Under new boss Laurent Mekies, the Dutchman went on to say he is looking forward to going "in a different direction" and seeing if the team can find more performance in the short-term.

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The four-time F1 champion said: "I'm looking forward to it. As you said, I don't think it will make any difference to my decision about the future. The only thing that matters is that we're working on the car and making it as fast as possible

"And I've already said that the last year and a half haven't gone as we would have liked. We're now trying to become more competitive for this year, but also for the new regulations [in 2026]."

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After that direct response, Verstappen went back to being vague when asked if there is any possibility at all that he could drive for Mercedes next year. "There's also a chance I won't wake up tomorrow. Then I won't drive at all," he quipped.

Verstappen added: "Life is unpredictable. But overall I am very happy with where I am and I hope, and that was also the goal we set when we made a new deal, that I can drive here until the end of my career."

And that desire to be a one-team man throughout his whole F1 career, if he can continue to fight for race wins and titles by doing so, will not be affected by Horner's absence, Verstappen went on to clarify. He added: "At the end of the day, they run the team. I'm the driver, so whatever they decide is fully in their right to do what they want.

"I'm equally excited for the team now moving forward because that's what we have to do. Looking back doesn't make sense – it's not going to make you faster. Of course, he's not here now during a race weekend, but it's still like a second family to me."