As of: April 4, 2024, 2:14 p.m
By: Philipp Kuserau
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The power struggle at Red Bull that broke out after the Horner affair caused speculation about Max Verstappen. Now the world champion made people sit up and take notice with statements about his future.
Suzuka – The storm at Red Bull Racing seems to have calmed down somewhat. After turbulent weeks surrounding the Christian Horner scandal and the associated speculation about staff departures, there seems to be no big shift in chairs for the time being. Star driver Max Verstappen in particular recently made people sit up and take notice with a declaration of loyalty.
The fuss surrounding Horner threatened to tear Red Bull apart
Just recently, the Austrian Formula 1 team seemed to be falling apart because of the turmoil of the last few weeks with team boss Christian Horner at the center. As is well known, the Briton was accused of inappropriate behavior towards an employee.
After the allegations became known, Horner initially seemed untenable. However, a subsequent investigation, initiated specifically by parent company Red Bull, exonerated the 50-year-old. He also knew that he had Chalerm Yoovidhia, the Thai majority owner of Red Bull, on his side.
Horner scandal leads to power struggle at Red Bull
Despite the heavily sawed chair, Horner was ultimately able to sit out the explosive affair. The situation at Red Bull seems to have calmed down somewhat. In the power struggle that broke out behind the scenes between Horner on the one hand and chief advisor Helmut Marko, who is said to be very close to the Verstappen camp, on the other, the last word does not seem to have been spoken yet.
The unrest at Red Bull led to increased speculation about Max Verstappen's early departure. Rumors that the three-time world champion could take over the Mercedes cockpit from Lewis Hamilton, who will drive for Ferrari in 2025, did not stop. Recently, Silver Arrows team boss Toto Wolff even publicly flirted with signing Verstappen.
Max Verstappen made people sit up and take notice with statements about his future. © IMAGO/DPPI
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Verstappen talks about the future at Red Bull
Now, however, there is at least positive news on this front for the Formula 1 effervescent team. Before the fourth race of the season in Suzuka, Japan (all TV information), the Dutchman took the wind out of the sails of any speculation about a change. “I’m very happy with where I am right now and I want to leave it at that,” he said on Thursday. Words that should cause a big sigh of relief at Red Bull.
However, Verstappen also built a back door in his tight-lipped declaration of loyalty. “It all depends on whether I want to drive next year,” the 26-year-old continued. The statement was meant as a joke, but it still makes you sit up and take notice.
Verstappen: “After that I want to see whether I even want to continue”
It seems unlikely that the reigning world champion will hang up his steering wheel after the season. Nevertheless, he apparently felt compelled to talk more specifically about his future. “I have a contract with Red Bull until 2028, only after that do I want to see whether I even want to continue.”
The sporting perspective is likely to play an important role in this decision. Red Bull, with Verstappen as the driving force, seems to be the number one contender for the title this year too. At the Australian Grand Prix, however, the champion suffered a setback for the first time in a long time and was eliminated on the fifth lap due to brake problems.
(kus)