Max Verstappen is reportedly willing to ‘live with’ Christian Horner remaining at Red Bull as long as the team continue to impress on the track. The Dutchman has been heavily linked with a move away from the team in recent weeks, with Mercedes monitoring his situation closely.
Speculation has been rife involving Red Bull over the past few months, with key individuals speaking out against one another, controversial moves being rumoured and an aura of negativity surrounding the team overall.
Following allegations made against Horner, which he has since been cleared of, friction began to brew with the team principal and driver Verstappen – with Jos Verstappen consistently calling for the Brit to step down from his role.
Although time has since passed, the relationship still appears to be on the rocks, giving rivals confidence that they could poach the world No. 1 driver. However, Verstappen is willing to persevere with working alongside Horner, reports the Daily Mail.
The relationship between the pair is described as ‘not warm’ but the driver is willing to ‘live’ with Horner as long as he continues to lead Red Bull to victory and provides him with a top-quality car which he can win races with.
With a drivers merry-go-round anticipated at the end of the season, courtesy of Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari switch, talk among the Verstappens is said to have already turned to next year and how they are hoping that the 2025 campaign pans out for them.
The camp are ‘not keen’ on the idea of Fernando Alonso joining Red Bull at the end of the season, despite the team already holding talks with the Spaniard’s manager Flavio Briatore. The move has been deemed ‘unlikely’ nonetheless, much to the relief of Verstappen and his team – who felt that a move for the Aston Martin star would have ‘upset the equilibrium’.
Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon have also been sounded out as potential No. 2 options, though there is a growing feeling that Sergio Perez will stay on beyond the season. The 34-year-old’s current contract is due to expire at the end of 2024 but there is a suspicion that negotiations will open before the campaign concludes over a new deal which will see him continue to play second fiddle to Verstappen.
