Horner asks Wolff to focus on his team rather than bringing in Max Verstappen
Christian Horner has issued a scathing response to Toto Wolff's comments on the possibility of Max Verstappen leaving Red Bull to join Mercedes.
The Verstappen clan asserts that the three-time Formula 1 world champion is fully committed to his contract with Red Bull. However, for a few weeks now, rumors have been circulating that the Dutchman could be leaving the Austrian team.
The case involving Christian Horner has undoubtedly fueled rumors. The latter has also responded to comments from his rival, Toto Wolff, who mentioned the possible arrival of Verstappen at Mercedes. Horner asserts that Wolff is wasting his time dreaming that he has a chance to get him.
« Have you talked to Max [Verstappen] about this? Because if you talk to Max, it’s not a question of paperwork. We know he has a contract until the end of 2028. It’s about how he feels in the team, the relationship he has with the team and his performance. And I don’t think Toto’s problems concern his drivers. I think he probably has other things to focus on rather than focusing on drivers who are not available », he replied to the press.
If I were Max, I would stay at Red Bull in 2025.
Toto Wolff is still looking for a replacement for Lewis Hamilton who will join Ferrari next season. « There are so many factors that play a role in choosing a driver. Obviously, when you look at it from the most rational point of view, you can say that it’s the fastest car in the hands of the fastest driver. But I don’t think that’s the only reason to stay where you are. For simple minds, that might be the only reason to stay in the car. But maybe some more thoughtful people also take other factors into account, and I think Max has that depth. »
« Are we going to convince him? I don’t think it’s a question of persuasion. I think Max knows more about car racing than anyone else and will make decisions that suit him », says the boss at Mercedes.
« If I were Max, I would stay at Red Bull in 2025. But I am not Max. It’s the fastest car, but there are other factors.
» Horner believes that the rumors surrounding Verstappen’s future may be a diversion tactic by Mercedes, to divert attention from their difficult start to the season.
« I’m not going to fall for it. I sometimes think it’s just designed to create noise. We have surpassed the number of race wins that Mercedes has achieved during the modern era. So the team is in good shape. Why on earth would you want to leave this team? Mercedes is the third team, behind its rivals at the moment. So I think his [Wolff] time would be better spent focusing on his team rather than the driver market.
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