BREAKING: Horner fires at Wolff over attempts to poach Verstappen from Red Bull
Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, has issued a firm response to Mercedes’ Toto Wolff, advising him to focus on addressing the challenges within his own team rather than attempting to recruit Red Bull’s world champion driver, Max Verstappen.
Verstappen’s recent victory at the Chinese Grand Prix showcased his dominance, marking his fourth win out of five races this season and positioning him as a strong contender for his fourth world championship. Throughout the race, Verstappen’s pace was notably superior, at times lapping almost a second quicker than his competitors.
Meanwhile, Mercedes has encountered difficulties since the regulation changes in 2022, with Lewis Hamilton finishing ninth and George Russell sixth in China. Wolff has openly expressed his interest in bringing Verstappen to Mercedes to replace Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari next season.
Christian Horner tells Max Verstappen he can quit Red Bull as he fires warning https://t.co/ysP2QGMB1C
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) March 10, 2024
Following Verstappen’s triumph in Shanghai, Horner straightforwardly asserted that Wolff should focus internally to resolve Mercedes’ issues, emphasizing that Verstappen is firmly committed to Red Bull and there is no reason for him to consider leaving.
“I don’t believe Toto’s issues lie with his drivers,” Horner stated. “He has other aspects to address rather than pursuing drivers who are not available. Mercedes is currently lagging behind its customer teams. His efforts would be better directed towards improving the team rather than the driver market. Sometimes, such discussions are merely intended to generate attention.”
Horner reiterated Verstappen’s commitment to Red Bull, highlighting the team’s recent success in surpassing Mercedes in terms of races won in the modern era. He questioned why Verstappen would consider leaving a team that is currently performing at its peak.
Christian Horner accused of 'playing the victim' as Max Verstappen's father rages at Red Bull chief https://t.co/ORs70GU4HH
— GB News (@GBNEWS) March 3, 2024
Despite being under contract, Verstappen has not categorically ruled out a move, expressing a desire for a “quiet and peaceful environment” when questioned about his future with Red Bull before the race. This statement could be interpreted as a response to the controversies surrounding Red Bull earlier in the season, including allegations of inappropriate behavior by Horner, which are currently under appeal.
Additionally, there have been concerns raised about the effectiveness of Red Bull’s engine set to be utilized in the 2026 season.
Wolff suggested that Verstappen is weighing various factors in deciding his future, acknowledging that the decision extends beyond simply driving the quickest car. He emphasized Verstappen’s depth of understanding in motor racing and expressed confidence that Verstappen will make decisions that align with his best interests.