&w=3840&q=100)
'The only thing that matters is that...': Max Verstappen on whether Horner's exit will impact his Red Bull future
Max Verstappen has declared that Red Bull's decision to sack former team principal Christian Horner won't impact his future with the team.
Horner was sacked as the team principal and chief executive in the aftermath of the British Grand Prix at the beginning of last month after staying 20 years in charge. The decision came amid speculation that four-time world champion Verstappen was being heavily linked to a move away from Red Bull.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Verstappen clears the air on his future
Horner's sacking fuelled Verstappen's exit rumours, and many believed Red Bull's chances of keeping the Dutchman had slumped heavily. Ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, the first race after Horner's removal, with his replacement Laurent Mekies taking charge, Verstappen said he accepted management's decision.
'At the end of the day, management and the shareholders decided that they wanted a change, and at the end of the day, they run the team, and I'm the driver. So, whatever they decide, it's fully in their right to do what they want. And that's basically how it happened,' Verstappen said as quoted from Sky Sports.
'And at the same time now, sitting here, you look back at those 20 years of Red Bull, I think we've had a lot of great, great years, great, great results. Naturally, there are also years where it's not going that well, and I think the last one and a half years have not gone how we would have liked. And management decided they wanted to steer the ship in a different direction, probably. And then everyone else has to agree to that and look forward,' he added.
One of the factors behind the speculation about Verstappen's camp's involvement in Horner's dismissal was the former principal's turbulent relationship with the Dutchman's father, Jos, who had called for the Brit's exit during the 2024 season. Verstappen downplayed the disagreements of the pair while addressing his future with Red Bull.
'No, it doesn't, really. I think people can have differing opinions here and there, and I actually expect that to happen, because if everyone always agrees, there is a problem. You need to have difference in opinions. That's now something that we work with in a different direction. I'm excited about it,' he said.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
'I don't think it will matter at all for my decision in the future. At the end, the only thing that matters is that we work on the car and make it as fast as we can make it. The last one and a half years have not been where we want to be. Now we try to be more competitive, this year a little bit, but for sure also with the new regulations,' he added.
Despite being officially contracted with Red Bull till 2028, Verstappen acknowledged that he does have a decision to make about his future and said, 'There is also a possibility I don't wake up tomorrow, that there is no driving at all. Life is unpredictable. In general, I'm very happy where I'm at. And I would hope that still… the target that we set out when we signed the new deal, that I would drive here until the end of my career.'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
36 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Hungarian GP clash: Max Verstappen under FIA probe after forcing Lewis Hamilton off track
Max Verstappen's daring move during the Hungarian Grand Prix is making headlines and is now under review. According to Planet F1, on Lap 29, while in a battle for 11th, the Red Bull star took a risky overtaking move on the Brit racing driver Lewis Hamilton. Even though the pair did not make any physical contact, Hamilton was forced wide and had to go into the run-off area, costing him valuable time. Reportedly, stewards will now check if Verstappen has gained any advantage from the exchange. FIA to investigate Max Verstappen's bold move on Lewis Hamilton.(REUTERS) Max Verstappen under investigation Max Verstappen's forceful attempt to make Lewis Hamilton go off track during the Hungarian Grand Prix is under scrutiny. The incident occurred when Verstappen's car was only marginally alongside Hamilton's, leading the seven-time world champion to take evasive action. Check out the viral video below: Reportedly, Race Control quickly signaled the incident, and the FIA confirmed that an inquiry would take place post the race. Both drivers, along with team representatives from Red Bull and Ferrari, were summoned to meet the stewards at 17:15 local time in Budapest. To note, Verstappen's move helped him gain a position, but the outcome could impact his final classification. Also read: Max Verstappen confirms he is staying at Red Bull next year: 'Stop all rumours' Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton explained At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton brought their burgeoning rivalry to a near-miss on Lap 29. As they both were trying to fight their way up from the midfield, Verstappen saw an opportunity to move to the inside of Hamilton at Turn 4, and without fear or concern, quickly dove into a high-speed move. Hamilton was forced wide through the Turn's exit, allowing him to veer into the run-off area, and Verstappen snatched 11th place. While the stewards decided to look at the incident post-race, they deemed that no punishment was warranted. Verstappen went on to finish ninth. It was a moment of tension between two World Champions in a duel for more than just bad starting positions. FAQs 1. What happened between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton? Max Verstappen pushed Lewis Hamilton off track while overtaking him at the Hungarian Grand Prix. 2. Who has more F1 titles? Lewis Hamilton has more titles than Max Verstappen. 3. How is Max and Lewis's relationship? They share a competitive rivalry but have kept it professional.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Oval Test cliffhanger fittingly heads into Day 5 with series still on the line
Even the rain gods seemed eager to play their part in the unfolding drama of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The Oval Test—the series decider—fittingly extended into a fifth day after rain and bad light brought an early end to play on Day 4, Sunday, 3 August. England need just 35 runs to win, while India require three (or possibly four) wickets. After everything we've witnessed over the past two months in Old Blighty, who can rule out the possibility of a tie?advertisementOval Test, Day 4 Highlights | Full Scorecard Play was officially abandoned at 10:30 pm IST—half an hour before the scheduled close—following an hour's delay due to rain. Momentum had shifted in India's favour, and England were looking increasingly uneasy after losing centurion Joe Root towards the end of the day's to Sky Sports, the ground staff informed the umpires that the outfield had taken on too much water and it wouldn't be possible to ready the playing surface in time before the scheduled close of play at 11:30 pm IST. However, the sun emerged soon after the day's play was called off, prompting mixed England fast bowler Stuart Broad expressed his disappointment, arguing that play should have continued on Sunday. 'Still 20 mins away from possible start time, everyone has their sunglasses on at the train station. Felt the supporters deserved to see a finish to that Test Match today. Felt a lazy decision to call it off at 6pm in my opinion. I wonder who makes it?' he wrote on India and England return for Day 5, both the conditions and the mental states of the players will have shifted — adding yet another layer of drama to what has already been a riveting Test SUNDAY IN LONDON The first four Tests in this fiercely contested series between two flawed sides all went into a fifth day, but it seemed, for a while, that the Oval finale might conclude on the penultimate day. In the end, it did sets of players—and perhaps the fans—will now return for what might be just an hour or two of cricket on Monday. When England resumed on 50 for 1, still needing 324 runs to win on Sunday morning, India appeared to have the upper hand. They struck early, removing overnight opener Zak Crawley and stand-in captain Ollie came a pivotal moment—a dropped catch, or rather, a catch that turned into a let-off. Mohammed Siraj took a well-judged catch at deep fine leg off a mistimed pull from Harry Brook, only to step on the boundary rope, turning a potential wicket into six runs. Brook was on 19 at the time. The World No. 1 Test batter went on to punish India with a blistering 111 off just 90 balls—his maiden fourth-innings century in Test and Joe Root broke India's resolve in the second session, amassing 153 runs at a rate of 5.43 per over. By Tea, England seemed to be cruising, needing just 57 more runs with six wickets still in hand.- EndsTune InMust Watch
News18
5 hours ago
- News18
F1 A 'Healthy' Space Without Disgraced Red Bull Boss Christian Horner, Says McLaren's Zak Brown
Last Updated: McLaren CEO Zak Brown believes F1 is healthier after Christian Horner's exit as Red Bull team principal. Brown welcomed Laurent Mekies, hoping for a more constructive atmosphere. Formula One is in a better place following Christian Horner's exit as Red Bull team principal, according to McLaren CEO Zak Brown. Speaking after Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix, Brown welcomed Horner's replacement, Laurent Mekies, and expressed optimism that the change would usher in a more constructive atmosphere across the paddock. 'I just left having a chat with Laurent. I'm happy he's in the role he's in," Brown told reporters in Budapest. 'I like Laurent, and I think that'll be healthy, and maybe we can get back to focusing on competition on the track." Brown's endorsement of Mekies—a well-respected figure in F1 with experience at Toro Rosso and Ferrari—comes after what he described as an increasingly 'unhealthy" dynamic at Red Bull under Horner's leadership. 'There's always going to be some political aspects to the sport," Brown added. 'I think it's going to be healthier with Laurent. I'm a fan of Laurent, I've known him for a long time, and I think it'll be good to go racing against him." Brown and Horner shared a long history—one that began during their days racing in British Formula Three and evolved into a sharp-edged rivalry as team principals. Their clashes were frequent and public, especially after Red Bull's cost cap breach in 2021, which McLaren saw as a serious sporting infraction. In 2022, Brown accused Red Bull of cheating when the FIA ruled that they had exceeded the $145 million spending limit. Horner fired back, calling Brown's comments 'tremendously disappointing." The tension often spilled into the media and was amplified in Netflix's Drive to Survive, where Horner was frequently portrayed as the sport's 'pantomime villain." While Max Verstappen continued to dominate the drivers' standings—winning his fourth consecutive title in 2024—McLaren ended Red Bull's run of constructor dominance last season. The competition on track was fierce, but Brown believes that Red Bull's internal culture under Horner had become toxic. Departure Under a Cloud Red Bull announced Horner's dismissal on July 9. Though no official reason was given, his departure followed a turbulent year in which he faced and denied allegations of misconduct made by a female Red Bull employee. He was ultimately cleared after an internal investigation, and he has not commented publicly since leaving the team. Brown did not directly reference those allegations, but he alluded to the broader dysfunction: 'It didn't seem like a healthy environment," he said of Red Bull under Horner. Brown emphasized his desire to return to a more respectful brand of competition—where fierce rivalry can coexist with mutual admiration and professionalism. 'From a fan's point of view, the drama of the villain stuff, I think, works," he said. 'But I also think the celebratory 'fight it out on track and photobomb each other'—I think that's a more fun way to go racing." He noted that Horner's approach often pushed the limits, particularly when it came to technical accusations such as McLaren's alleged use of 'flexi-wings.' 'When you start getting into frivolous allegations, I think that's just going too far," Brown said. 'If I look up and down the pit lane now, I see us fighting each other hard politically—but there being a line that's not crossed." 'That line got crossed before," he added. 'So I think we'll see a little bit of a change for the better." News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Christian Horner F1 F1 2025 f1 news hungarian gp McLaren F1 red bull racing Zak Brown view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 03, 2025, 19:40 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
