Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull, has fired back at the swirling rumors linking their star driver Max Verstappen to Mercedes, revealing that the Dutchman is “quite irritated” with the ongoing speculations.
Despite having a contract with Red Bull secured until 2028, rumors suggest that Verstappen might have a release clause, enticing Mercedes to consider swooping in before the regulatory changes in 2026. Horner emphasized that the contractual situation is crystal clear and confidential, insinuating that the rumors could stem from George Russell’s frustration over his 2025 Mercedes contract still pending confirmation.
“This is all just noise. I think Max gets quite irritated by it. We are very clear that the contract we have with Max is until 2028,” Horner stated firmly. “Everything that is being said is pure speculation. We tend not to pay much attention to it. I can imagine George is frustrated by not having received a contract yet. That is between him and his team. The situation with Max… we know exactly where we are, and obviously, Max knows too. Everything is subject to rumors and, obviously, within any contract, that remains confidential between the parties.”
In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, where driver movements can shift the balance of power, Horner’s words serve as a bold declaration of Red Bull’s intent to keep their prized asset away from the clutches of their rivals. Max Verstappen’s future may be a topic of speculation, but for now, Red Bull’s message is loud and clear: hands off their driver.
