Horner ‘certain’ Verstappen will see out Red Bull contract until 2028 amid Mercedes rumours…

 Bull Team Principal Christian Horner says he is “certain” Max Verstappen will see out his contract with the team, following speculation linking the Dutchman with a move elsewhere.

Verstappen – who won the season opener in Bahrain last week – has a deal to race with Red Bull until the end of 2028. But there has been speculation the three-time world champion could look to race elsewhere before his contract expires. Some have linked him with a move to Red Bull rivals Mercedes, replacing Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.

ertain he will [see out the remainder of his contract],” said Horner. “He has got a great team around him, he’s got great faith in that team.

“We’ve achieved a lot together. He’s committed to an agreement to 2028. From the team’s side, from Max’s side, we are determined to build on the success we’ve achieved already. Those 55 victories have all come in Red Bull cars, all of the podiums have come in Red Bull racing cars. We are determined to build on that and hopefully add many more in the future.”

Horner’s comments came after he was asked in the Thursday press conference in Saudi Arabia about alleged tensions between himself and Max’s father Jos – with Horner adding that it was “in everybody’s interests” that the pair have agreed “to move on” following the latter’s criticism, which included negative comments made to a British newspaper.

ed if he had spoken to Verstappen Senior following the comments, Horner replied: “I spoke to Jos following the Grand Prix [in Bahrain, which Verstappen won], obviously congratulated him on his son’s performance. I think it is in everybody’s interests collectively that we’ve agreed to move on, to focus on the future.

“We both have vested interest in his son, to provide the best cars for him and get the best out of him. He’s started the season in the best possible way, he’s an outstanding talent and hopefully we can continue to provide him competitive car.”

He added: “I’m obviously aware of the comments made, there was a discussion subsequent to the race. Everybody’s focus is on future. The team’s focus is very much on defending both these world titles we fought so hard to achieve, Max’s three successive titles… the 55 victories he’s achieved, the 114 victories we’ve achieved as a team – we sit tied with Williams now in terms of Grand Prix victories.

“Our focus is on the future. Discussions took place following the race in Bahrain and we’re all looking forward.”

Horner was asked specifically if the air had been cleared between himself and Jos – who is not in Saudi this weekend as he has pre-arranged commitments elsewhere. Horner replied: “I’m not going to air all discussions that are private between parties. But discussions have been inevitably had and the team is focused on the challenges ahead of us.

“The team is very focused on season ahead. Whilst we had a dominant race in Bahrain, we don’t expect it in future races. We are acutely aware of our competitors. You don’t achieve the kind of results we’ve had by not being united team. To win the race by the margin we did, to achieve a one-two, the fastest lap, pole position – you need to be working in total harmony to achieve those kinds of racing.”

Max Verstappen and Red Bull are embroiled in the battle for both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships, but his long-term future remains doubtful.

elmut Marko has been unable to give a firm commitment as to whether Max Verstappen will be at Red Bull in 2026.

The three-time world champion has a contract with the team until 2028, but speculation about his long-term future has been rife this year following the power struggle at the team earlier this season and now Red Bull’s alarming slump in competitiveness.

After winning seven of the first 10 races, Verstappen has not taken the chequered flag in any of the six grands prix since, which have only included two podiums.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has been trying to lure Verstappen to Brackley as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, although he eventually opted for Andrea Kimi Antonelli, but kept the door open for the Dutchman in 2026.

Verstappen has hinted at times that he could even walk away from F1 before the expiration of his contract given he is unhappy at various aspects of F1, but had previously declared he would be at the team for 2025.

Marko confirmed this, but tellingly, was unable to give a firm commitment over Verstappen for 2026.

“Next year he’ll be driving for Red Bull Racing,” Marko told OE24 when asked if Verstappen would be in the team for 2025 and 2026.

“[But 2026] is so far away, and for now our full focus is on the 2024 world championship.”

McLaren’s Lando Norris has chipped away at Verstappen’s lead in the drivers’ title race, which now stands at 62 points.

In the constructors’ championship, however, Red Bull is in danger of being usurped at the top of the standings for the first time since the 2022 Spanish GP.

Marko can only hope Verstappen returns to winning ways soon, and that Sergio Perez can at least play his part. The Mexican has not finished on the podium since the fifth race of the year in China.

“The lead in the constructors’ has dwindled to eight points, but we don’t have to write off the title just yet,” Marko wrote in his Speedweek column.

“Because if Max starts to win again, and Checo finishes between third and fifth place, it will be enough to successfully defend the title.”