Christian Horner drops major hint over Max Verstappen exit as he reveals Red Bull contract clause
Advertisement
4
Christian Horner has given a hint over the future of four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen
Credit: Alamy
4
Verstappen has been linked with a move to Mercedes
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
The Dutchman had been eyeing a fifth World Driver's Championship title in a row at the start of the season, but now sits P3 in the driver standings behind McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and
His gap to the top car is 61 points following a DNF at the Austrian Grand Prix after Kimi Antonelli crashed into the side of him on the opening lap.
Verstappen is well known to have clauses in his contract which means he can trigger an exit if results do not meet expectations - with one clause stating he must be running in at least P3 going into the summer break.
And Red Bull chief Horner has now lifted the lid on the future of the reigning world champion.
Advertisement
READ MORE IN F1
Speaking to Sky
"We are just focused on performing. If things stay as they are, 100 per cent he will be with us next year."
Paddock reports had suggested the 27-year-old was being linked with a stunning move to Mercedes.
Advertisement
Most read in Motorsport
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
And when pressed for clarification on his Verstappen comments, Horner deflected the question by focusing on the situation of the British driver.
He added: "It's impossible to say 100 per cent.
Ex-Red Bull mechanic claims Max Verstappen will quit F1 this year
"Is it clear George Russell will 100 per cent be at Mercedes next year?"
Advertisement
He was just over a tenth quicker than the second-quickest driver Piastri, with Norris, Russell and
4
George Russell is out of contract with Mercedes at the end of the season
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
4
Advertisement
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
6 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Paul O'Connell impressed by Ireland 'intent' in win over Georgia
Paul O'Connell praised the efforts of his makeshift Ireland team after they registered an impressive 34-5 victory over Georgia in Tbilisi. Without head coach Andy Farrell and a plethora of players due to British and Irish Lions commitments, interim boss O'Connell watched his youthful side show their strength in depth with an assured display on a rain-soaked pitch. Debutant Tommy O'Brien raced over twice inside the opening exchanges before stand-in captain Craig Casey dotted down early in the second period and Nick Timoney wrapped up the scoring late on. "Very important game," O'Connell said during his on-pitch interview. "A lot of players away with the Lions and we've got a load of guys who are just dying for an opportunity. "And you wonder how they will take that opportunity, particularly as some of them hadn't played games in a little while, so I'm very happy with how they went about their business. "They had a load of intent with what they did and they were really accurate with that intent." Casey added: "Yeah obviously very happy. A bit wetter than we expected during the week. We had to adapt our game a bit and I thought we managed the game really well. "Our forwards were top-class, so we have to owe it to them. The feeling in the group is awesome, it's a great start to the summer tour. "There are a few lads making their first caps and we wanted to make it special for them and their families. Thankfully we did that."
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Crisis-hit Leicester consider shock move for recently-sacked Championship manager after axing Ruud van Nistelrooy
CHRIS WILDER is now in the frame for a shock return to management with relegated Leicester. Foxes put Wilder, 57, on their shortlist 2 Chris Wilder is being lined up as the next manager of Leicester Credit: PA 2 The Foxes need a new gaffer after axing Ruud van Nistelrooy Credit: Reuters And the experienced boss has emerged as a candidate since the split, while his agent's close ties with Leicester have boosted his chances. Danny Rohl, 36, who is set to leave troubled Sheffield Wednesday, is another option. Wilder has a good record at Championship level but his best work has always been at boyhood club United. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL He was less successful at Middlesbrough and Watford but is still attractive to any clubs chasing promotion. The Dutchman managed just four wins in 25 games, losing 18 times. And Most read in Championship BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS He told SunSport: 'Most clubs are prepared for the worst now. 'They sack their manager in the morning and by the afternoon they've got someone else in charge. Emotional Leicester fans say 'delete this' as club share pics of Jamie Vardy packing his things into a cardboard box 'But it will be hard for Leicester to get someone in with a potential points deduction hanging over the club. 'Any new manager will be conscious of that and won't want to commit until they know what they're dealing with. 'The fans will be expecting an early appointment, given the length of time the board must have known Ruud was going. 'But I wouldn't be too hasty with a new appointment. 'I'd be really thorough because they MUST get this appointment right. 'They obviously went through two major managerial changes last season, and they won't want to go through that again. 'They'll want a manager who is hopefully going to be there for quite a while. So I wouldn't be rushing too much into it if I was them."
Irish Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tommy O'Brien at the double as Ireland breeze past Georgia in first Summer test
A first-half double from debutant Tommy O'Brien propelled Ireland to a commanding 34-5 win over Georgia in Tbilisi. Despite the absence of head coach Andy Farrell and numerous players due to British and Irish Lions commitments, Ireland demonstrated their depth with a confident performance on a rain-drenched pitch. O'Brien dashed over for two tries in the opening exchanges before Craig Casey celebrated his captaincy debut with a superb try at the start of the second half. Nick Timoney wrapped up the scoring late on, whilst Sam Prendergast added 14 points during a faultless kicking display under interim boss Paul O'Connell. Former Ireland Under-20 captain O'Brien only needed two minutes to get off the mark as he latched on to Prendergast's kick and touched down next to the posts. Prendergast's successful conversion was swiftly followed by a second score for Ireland in the eighth minute. It was the same combination again as Prendergast sent the ball over the top and O'Brien crossed over in the right corner. After Prendergast added the extras to make it 14-0, Georgia mounted a response, with boos following the TMO decision to disallow Aka Tabutsadze's superb solo effort. The TMO was required again to rule out a try by Prendergast before Ireland ended the half on a sour note. Jacob Stockdale was forced to leave the pitch after an injury to his left arm and Georgia then deservedly got on the scoreboard. With the clock in the red, the hosts continued to probe the Irish defence and broke through thanks to Tornike Jalagonia in the corner. It was a poor end to a professional half, but interim captain Casey stepped up after the break. Casey stormed over inside 60 seconds after he combined with Ryan Baird to mark his first match with the armband with a try. Another Prendergast conversion was followed two penalties as Ireland established a 22-point advantage by the midway point of the second half. O'Connell started to shuffle his pack as the seconds ticked away amid heavy rain, with Tom Ahern and Jack Aungier sent on for debuts. It was followed by a fourth try for Ireland as Timoney collected a bouncing kick to bundle over despite the presence of two Georgian players. After the TMO was required to intervene, it was eventually awarded and Prendergast landed another fine kick from the touchline to finish with a 14-point haul on a successful night for Ireland's makeshift team.
