Is the future of Max Verstappen at Red Bull uncertain? For quite some time now this question has been looming around in the F1 community. The recent events amongst the Austrian team have caused the clouds of a bleak future to surface around.
Earlier in February 2024, a female Red Bull employee filed a report with the parent company of the organization against CEO Christian Horner, stating that Horner was engaged in “Inappropriate, controlling behavior.” After an internal investigation, Horner was cleared of the charges. But a day later, texts and photos indicating improper motives allegedly sent between Horner and his accuser were leaked to prominent F1 officials.
A sudden power struggle erupted between Horner and adviser Helmut Marko, who is in close relations with Max Verstappen. Rumors of Marko leaving Red Bull also surfaced at these perilous times, Verstappen stated that it would be difficult to continue with Red Bull if Marko left. Red Bull has also been shocked by the exit of technical guru Adrian Newey who was the designer of all the three title-winning cars of Verstappen.
Max Verstappen and Christian Horner issue contradicting remarks
Max Verstappen released contradictory statements about the repercussions of the results produced by him in the Miami Grand Prix. Verstappen failed to make a chicane entry at Turn 14 when he was on lead. He ran over the kerb, to avoid losing too much time through the tricky and challenging section of the track. In doing so, Verstappen picked up damages to the underside of his RB20, he bumped the bollard sending it onto the race track and triggering a virtual safety car.
Later in the race, the clash between Kevin Magnussen and Logan Sargeant brought a full safety car situation which handed the lead to Lando Norris. Verstappen restarted in second place and continued in the same position till he crossed the line, failing to overtake Norris and lead the race, finally settling down to P2, and Norris won his maiden race.
When asked about the damage caused by hitting the curb, Verstappen stated, “It didn’t feel different, so I don’t know. Maybe it was already damaged. I don’t know. I mean I hit that thing and then my pace was the same so I didn’t know if there was damage.”
But, Verstappen’s statements did not align with what Christian Horner had to say on the same. Horner explained that he [Max] had hit the bollard around lap 20 and that caused a considerable amount of damage to the underside of the car and they’ll be looking into what exactly was the effect of damage.
Max Verstappen later contradicted his previous statement, when Red Bull released a post-race press release, the World Champion was believed to be complaining about the lack of grip as well as the understeer problem with the RB car.
Should Max Verstappen consider leaving Red Bull?
The turmoil in Red Bull is not hidden anymore. Accusations against Horner by a female employee back in February 2024, the clash between Horner and Helmut Marko, and Newey‘s exit from the team is leading to suggestions for Max Verstappen to tear his contract apart and leave the team at the end of the ongoing season.
Jos Verstappen has openly shown his support to the suspended Red Bull employee who accused Horner of inappropriate behavior. Verstappen Sr stated that he sympathizes with the woman and all that she went through. He showed concern that Horner’s story would be a distraction for Red Bull. “All these things that are going on will influence Max.”
F1 pundit David Croft believes only one reason can tempt Verstappen to leave Red Bull and join Mercedes in 2026. “I don’t know anyone knows, that the Mercedes engine in 2026 is going to be like in Mercedes engine in 2014. If he [Max] knows that, then he’s going to want to go.”
Team Principal Toto Wolff, already mentioned that their primary target is Max Verstappen as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who is all set to drive for Ferrari from 2025 onwards. “I don’t think Max Verstappen is going to go to Mercedes…You know Red Bull is a winning thing at the moment, ” Croft told Sky Sports F1 podcast, in addition to this, he said that there are no guarantees that Mercedes will be “that” in 2026.
Red Bull will be producing their first ever in-house engines from 2026 following their split from Honda, Sky’s lead commentator explained that if the Dutch superhuman were to leave, it would be for a performance-related reason.