Christian Horner on Max Verstappen Exit Talk: 'We Need to Prove Red Bull is The Place to be'
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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner responded to the speculation about Max Verstappen's potential exit from the team.
Red Bull is struggling to fight for race wins and is falling short of the high standard set by McLaren.
While not at the bottom of the grid, the Milton Keynes-based team is not providing Verstappen with a car that can regularly fight for race wins.
Verstappen likely has clauses in his contract that could let him leave if certain performance measures aren't met.
Any team would do whatever it takes to get him secured as the driver, but Mercedes is best poised to get his signature.
Head coach Christian Horner of United Kingdom and Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 28, 2025 in...
Head coach Christian Horner of United Kingdom and Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 28, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. More
Photo by Guenther Iby/SEPA.Media/Getty Images
As the rumors continue to circulate about whether the four-time champion will leave his only F1 team, Horner is well aware of what is at stake in the coming months about Verstappen's future.
"There are absolutely no guarantees for any team or any engine manufacturer that can, hand on heart, say that they are significantly ahead of any other manufacturer," Horner told Sky Sports F1.
"Who knows what the pecking order will be? 2026 represents the biggest regulation change with both chassis and engine, probably in the last 50 years of F1.
"Now, Max is probably the most in-demand driver, he's the best in the world, he is absolutely, unequivocally the best driver. Now, when you think of it objectively, in 2026, staying where he is... he's going to have all of those options, it won't just be with one team, it'll be with all of the teams for 2027.
"And it's down to us to demonstrate that we're on the right trajectory, that we're performing, that we're progressing—that Red Bull is the right place for him to be.
"His desire, and he's said it numerous times, is to finish his career in a Red Bull car, start to finish.
"I think, if he sees that there's that potential, then I don't see why that isn't achievable. But of course, he's also hungry to achieve more wins, more titles, that his talent deserves. So, I think it's more about 2027, than perhaps about 2026."
Mercedes has a proven track record of developing good engines when a new formula is released, and Verstappen may look to get out of a potentially sinking ship at Red Bull.
Horner has the advantage of time to prove the team's ability to deliver a good car in the upcoming season - making the second half of 2025 and the closed-door meetings all the more important.
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