It has been an extremely strange start to the 2024 Formula One season for Red Bull Racing. Despite taking a dominant 1-2 finish in Bahrain last Saturday, controversy involving team boss Christian Horner continues to be the main theme around the squad at the moment.
Asked in his pre-event media session in Saudi Arabia whether he can continue to work with the Brit, the Dutchman responded with, “we are”.
On the rumours one would have to go considering the events of recent weeks, Verstappen brushed that off.
“I saw a lot of stories about that… which is, yeah, a bit weird to read.”
Nonetheless, he wants a calm and quiet environment to work it again as soon as possible.
“But from my side, what I want, and it doesn’t matter if he is involved in the team or not, is to have, of course, a quiet environment where everyone is happy to work.”
Speaking to the Daily Mail last weekend, Jos Verstappen ripped into Horner and said he needed to go because the team was in danger of exploding.
The three-time World Champion is sure they can talk it out and resolve their differences.
“I think everyone in general, even if you have arguments or not, there are always things that can be worked out.
“I think everyone is man enough and respectful enough to each other anyway. I also don’t always agree with everything that happens, not talking behaviour or whatever, just in general in F1 with everything.
“And that’s why sometimes it’s good to have a discussion about things.”
The 26-year-old has a contract with Red Bull Racing until the conclusion of the 2028 season.
As things stand right now, the Dutchman is more than happy to see that contract out as he is enjoying life at the team, and that will continue to be the case as long as the team continues to run at the front of Formula One.
“That is, of course, always been the intention of signing. That’s why we signed so long to be here. And, of course, it’s about the performance of the car. It’s all about performance.
“And, of course, from 2026 onwards, anyway, that is a bit of a question mark with new regulations. But I knew that when I signed my contract.
“But I also know what they have done for me in my career, right? So yeah, the intention is absolutely to stay with this team because I really enjoy it. And I’m also really happy within the team.
“And yeah, as long as we perform, there is no reason also to leave.”
Quizzed on whether Mercedes would ever interest him, Verstappen did not completely rule out a move in the future due to the unpredictable nature of life, and he referenced Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari as an example.
Nonetheless, the 55-time Grand Prix winner reiterated how happy he is at Red Bull Racing and the fact they are F1’s dominant team right now.
“Well, the thing is, I think no one would have ever seen that Lewis would move to Ferrari.
“And in my life, and that doesn’t matter, it’s not related to F1 or whatever, right? It’s just general life. You never know what happens or what comes to you or whatever happens around you or what might influence you.
“So you can never say 100% that that’s how it’s going to be. And I approach my life like that, but I also don’t think about it too much. I’m very relaxed.
“Like I said, I’m very happy in the team. As long as I’m happy in the team, the performance is there, there’s no reason to leave.”
