Max Verstappen has reiterated his desire for a serene atmosphere within Red Bull Racing amidst ongoing uncertainties behind the scenes.
Despite the team’s off-track turmoil, Verstappen has kicked off his title defense strongly, securing four wins in the first five races of the 2024 Formula 1 season, propelling himself to a 25-point lead over teammate Sergio Perez in the Drivers’ standings.
Despite the distractions, Red Bull’s performance on the track has remained formidable. However, questions loom over Verstappen’s future with the team.
Following the dismissal of an investigation into Christian Horner’s conduct in February, Verstappen’s father, Jos, publicly called for Horner’s resignation after the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. Jos accused Horner of “playing the victim” while being the source of problems within the team.
He further warned of potential upheaval, stating that Red Bull could “explode” if Horner, who has led the team since its inception in 2005, retains his position.
The drama escalated further when reports emerged suggesting that design maestro Adrian Newey intends to depart from Red Bull.
Before these rumors, Verstappen, who has been linked with a sensational move to Mercedes in recent weeks, emphasized the importance of a calm and performance-oriented environment within the team.
In an interview with Dutch publication De Telegraaf, he emphasized, “What is very important for me is that it is calm in the team. That everyone focuses on the car and performance.
“I also feel now that it is calmer than at the beginning of the season. After my first world title in 2021, I signed a long deal with Red Bull for a reason.
“All I want is a calm and peaceful environment. As long as I am happy with the team, there is no reason to leave.”
Verstappen’s recent remarks follow assertions prior to the recent Chinese Grand Prix suggesting that the reigning World Champion, whose contract with Red Bull is set to continue until the conclusion of the 2028 season, finds himself “in a corner” regarding the driver market.
According to a report from the German publication Auto Motor und Sport, Verstappen is reportedly unenthusiastic about the prospect of joining Mercedes amidst the team’s ongoing struggles.
Nevertheless, with limited alternative options, any commitment to Red Bull could potentially pave the way for an audacious power move by Horner, potentially leading to the sidelining of long-standing Red Bull advisor and staunch Verstappen supporter, Helmut Marko.
Verstappen has consistently emphasized the intertwined nature of his future with that of Marko. According to reports suggested that his contract may contain a clause allowing Verstappen to depart from Red Bull in the event of Marko’s departure.
