Christian Horner on Verstappen Rumors: “We Didn’t Just Become Stupid Overnight”
Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has firmly rejected growing speculation surrounding Max Verstappen’s future with the team, stating that Red Bull “haven’t become idiots overnight” as questions swirl around their recent dip in form and internal tension.
Horner’s comments come after another race weekend where Red Bull looked uncharacteristically vulnerable, prompting speculation that their era of dominance — and possibly Verstappen’s loyalty — could be coming to an end. The defending world champions have looked less than bulletproof in recent races, with rivals like McLaren and Ferrari closing the gap both in pace and consistency.
“We haven’t forgotten how to build fast cars,” Horner told media after the Canadian Grand Prix. “One tough weekend, or even a couple, doesn’t mean we’ve suddenly become idiots. We’ve set a very high bar, and now people panic when we don’t win by 20 seconds.”
At the heart of the growing noise is Max Verstappen, whose long-term contract with Red Bull runs until 2028. However, recent paddock whispers — fuelled by reports of behind-the-scenes tension and interest from Mercedes — have raised questions about whether the reigning world champion could consider an early exit.
Verstappen has remained relatively quiet about the rumors, choosing to focus on performance, but he hasn’t exactly silenced them either. His post-race comments in recent weeks have hinted at some frustration — particularly with the car’s balance and reliability, areas that have let him down more than once this season.
“Of course we want Max here for the long run,” Horner added. “He’s part of the Red Bull family, and we’ve achieved incredible things together. But the nature of Formula 1 is that when you’re not dominating, questions get asked.”
Despite the uncertainty, Verstappen remains top of the championship standings — a testament to both his skill and Red Bull’s foundational strength. But the gap is narrowing, and rivals sense an opportunity to strike while internal distractions threaten to destabilize the once-unshakable team.
Horner remains adamant that Red Bull is united behind its lead driver and confident in its long-term performance. “We’re not interested in the noise,” he said. “We’re focused on development, and on getting back to where we belong — out front.”
With half the season still to go, Red Bull have both time and talent on their side. But with the spotlight growing brighter and rivals circling, the question remains: can they silence the critics and keep their champion happy?
One thing’s for sure — Horner is not ready to let the doubters write them off just yet.
