Christian Horner’s departure as Pink Bull boss is not going to have an effect on Max Verstappen’s future with Mercedes transfer rumoured.
Max Verstappen has insisted that Christian Horner’s shock departure as workforce boss of Pink Bull may have no affect on his future plans.
The four-time world champion, who has been linked with a transfer to Mercedes subsequent 12 months, prompt on Thursday that he expects to stick with Pink Bull till the conclusion of his present contract in 2028.
Chatting with reporters within the paddock earlier than this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, considered one of his “dwelling” races as he was born in Belgium and his mom is Belgian, the 27-year-old Dutchman mentioned he was involved solely with bettering the velocity and efficiency of his automotive.
The remaining, he mentioned, was not of nice curiosity to him, including that previous tensions between Horner and his father, Jos Verstappen, had no bearing on selections about his future.
Requested if Horner’s exit after 20 years as workforce boss made it extra possible that he would keep at Pink Bull subsequent 12 months, Verstappen mentioned, “No, it doesn’t. Probably not.”
He mentioned the well-publicised discord between his father and Horner was by no means an issue.
“Folks can have a distinction of opinion, and I anticipate that to occur as a result of if everybody agrees, there’s a drawback.
“It’s essential to have variations in opinion. Now, we’ll work in a distinct route, and I’m enthusiastic about it, and I don’t suppose it can matter in any respect for the choice over my future.
“The one factor that issues is that we work on the automotive and make it as quick as we are able to and try to be extra aggressive this 12 months, just a little bit, however for positive with the brand new laws subsequent 12 months.”
Verstappen had earlier welcomed the appointment of Frenchman Laurent Mekies, promoted from junior workforce Racing Bulls, as Horner’s successor and clearly sensed that it may usher in a stronger technical and engineering focus on the workforce.
He gave an indirect response when requested if he had a choice to make about his future.
“There’s additionally the potential for not waking up tomorrow, and so there isn’t a driving.
“Life is unpredictable and, usually, I’m proud of the place I’m at.”
He added, “The goal was that after I signed my deal, I might drive right here till the tip of my profession.”
Verstappen will likely be hoping to finish the hypothesis and provides each the workforce and new boss Mekies a lift with a convincing efficiency this weekend on his favorite circuit.
The Dutchman finds himself within the unaccustomed place of third within the drivers’ standings, behind chief Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, each of McLaren.
