Formula 1 Saudi Arabian GP
Red Bull plays down Max Verstappen exit rumor as just "noise"
There are question marks over the future of Max Verstappen as his Red Bull team is significantly behind McLaren, which is Formula 1's leading squad
Jake Boxall-Legge
Edited: Apr 18, 2025, 5:19 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Red Bull boss Christian Horner is unconcerned by the "noise" around Max Verstappen's future and is convinced that the four-time champion will be with the team next year.
In the wake of Helmut Marko's suggestion to Sky Germany that he was concerned about Verstappen's willingness to remain with Red Bull following its pace struggles in 2025, rumours have escalated about the reigning world champion’s future.
Read Also:
Formula 1Max Verstappen reacts to Red Bull exit fears
Formula 1Mercedes is not the right place for Max Verstappen, says James Vowles
Previous links to the likes of Mercedes and Aston Martin, which had previously gone cold, have resurfaced - although Verstappen stated on Thursday that he was simply focused on helping Red Bull out of its current slump and was happy where he was.
Marko had previously suggested that Verstappen's contract, which expires at the end of 2028, had a break clause depending on the team's performance.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Horner brushed away the rumours surrounding his lead driver and, when asked if he expected Verstappen to still be with Red Bull in 2026, he responded in the affirmative.
"I think noise is exactly the right word to describe it," Horner said after opening practice for this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing, Dr. Helmut Marko, Consultant, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
"There's been a lot of noise outside of the team, inside the team, I think Max again reaffirmed his commitment yesterday.
"We're focused on making the car go faster, that's where our focus is, and Max is part of that. He's a committed member of the team and the rest is all speculation and hearsay."
Asked about Marko's comments directly, Horner added that the team's adviser was welcome to have his own view - but reiterated that Verstappen's future would not be a concern if Red Bull can turn its fortunes around.
Horner explained that it had spent FP1 "going a little radical" on set-up options in order to explore its RB21 further and work out how to get the best out of it.
He estimated that Verstappen had a 0.3-second disadvantage in Jeddah’s first sector as the Dutchman revealed on the radio that he was struggling to turn the car in the opening corners.
"I think that people are always gonna have their concerns,” he said, after his team finished ninth and 10th in FP1. “I think as a team we are focused very much on sorting this car out.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
"Sort the car out, it doesn't need to become a discussion point. I think as you say, we've experienced two very contrasting emotions inJapan, getting that victory and then obviously last weekend [Bahrain] was a tricky one.
"We're trying a few different things this weekend, so that session was all about going a little radical on some of the set-up.
"We've got plenty to look at. We ran the cars slightly differently as well, so we've got that information now to digest."
Red Bull is currently third in the 2025 championship, 80 points off leaders McLaren despite Verstappen’s victory at Suzuka.
Photos from Saudi Arabian GP - Practice
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Friday
Formula 1
71
Read Also:
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Alpine's Pierre Gasly fastest in FP1 – but not by much
Next article Christian Horner denies Red Bull is in crisis, admits car has "vices"
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jake Boxall-Legge
Isack Hadjar to make Red Bull return at F1 Azerbaijan GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Azerbaijan GP
Isack Hadjar to make Red Bull return at F1 Azerbaijan GP
More from
Max Verstappen
Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans
WEC
WEC 1 h
Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans
Max Verstappen sits out Mexico GP FP1 for Red Bull
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Max Verstappen sits out Mexico GP FP1 for Red Bull
More from
Red Bull Racing
Does Daniel Ricciardo regret leaving Red Bull for Renault?
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
3 h
Does Daniel Ricciardo regret leaving Red Bull for Renault?
Sebastian Vettel reveals why BMW didn't want him – but Red Bull did
Formula 1
Formula 1 5 h
Sebastian Vettel reveals why BMW didn't want him – but Red Bull did
Latest news
Unwell Kimi Antonelli skips F1 Mexico GP media day
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
25 min
Unwell Kimi Antonelli skips F1 Mexico GP media day
Adding a stage, fuel cell mod all on table to fix superspeedway fuel saving
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
33 min
Adding a stage, fuel cell mod all on table to fix superspeedway fuel saving
Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans
WEC
WEC WEC 1 h
Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans
The 10 key moments that defined Sergio Perez's F1 career
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
The 10 key moments that defined Sergio Perez's F1 career
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe