Max Verstappen says the Formula 1 paddock is “less stressful” following Christian Horner’s exit because “it is not nice when you constantly have tension between people”.
Verstappen, who secured his first victory of the season, and the 72nd of his career, at last weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, won all four of his world championships at Red Bull while Horner was at the helm as team principal.
Horner has been consistently linked with a return to the sport, saying he has “unfinished business” and that leading Ferrari would be a “dream”.
Any comeback could see him spar with fellow bosses Toto Wolff (Mercedes) and Zak Brown (McLaren) once again.
In an interview with the Press Association, Verstappen said: “To be honest, I like to see people get on. It is not nice when you constantly have tension between people.
“Of course, from the outside, people like it, but honestly between the teams, it is better when you have just a friendly relationship.
“It is not as spicy, but I obviously quite like how things are going at the moment with everyone’s behaviour, let’s put it like that.
“It is less stressful. We are all leading a stressful life and when you can take a bit of stress out at times, it is good.”
On Horner’s potential return, Verstappen said: “He has shown he did a good job. Of course, people spread a lot of rumours and I don’t know how much of that is true.
“I don’t want to sound rude, but it is also not my problem or concern. He wants to come back and if there is a good opportunity I am sure he will but I don’t know where that is going to be.”
Horner left Red Bull in 2025
Verstappen: Rebuilding Red Bull is what’s driving me
Verstappen recently signed a new four-year deal at Red Bull having spoken with other teams including McLaren – but did he fancy a switch to Ferrari?
The Dutchman said: “I only want to win.
“I am not a nostalgic type. Do I have a lot of respect for the [Ferrari] brand? Absolutely. But if that means you then commit yourself, and you are driving P5 or P6, what’s the point?
“I am very performance-driven, and I have won a lot with this team already. It is a second family at Red Bull, and the challenge of rebuilding is what’s driving me.”
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Verstappen jokes about getting Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar on his private jet
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso has penned a deal to stay in F1 beyond his 46th birthday but Verstappen, 29, does not expect to still be around at that age.
“Staying here until then would mean I have dedicated more than half of my life to Formula 1, and that is probably a bit too much,” he added.
“I have extended for a few more years, and then I will look again and say to myself, ‘can I commit 100 per cent?’ If not, or there are other fun things around that deserves more time, then maybe I don’t continue.
“I also want to spend more time at home and see the kids growing up.”
Formula 1 heads to Singapore for the last Sprint weekend of the season with track action starting this Friday, live on Sky Sports F1 from 10.30am. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
