Max Verstappen has weighed in on the investigation by Red Bull into allegations against team boss Christian Horner’s conduct before the 2024 Formula 1 season.
Horner was alleged to have behaved inappropriately towards a female member of staff for the Milton Keynes squad, prompting an internal probe to be conducted.
However, the investigation concluded that Horner hadn’t acted as alleged and was free to continue in his post, which he has held since the team’s inception in 2005.
The saga continued to rumble on, sparking a season-long mudslinging between Horner and Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, who raced in F1 between 1994 and 2003.
Verstappen Sr has cast doubt on Red Bull’s championship prospects in 2025, having stated at the time that Horner’s presence at the helm could “tear apart” the team.
Speaking to Blick, Verstappen opined that the issue would have been cleared up quicker had Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who died in 2022, been present.
“Of course it wasn’t pretty, but I maintain that this case would be solved very quickly with Dietrich Mateschitz,” Verstappen, who won his fourth straight title in 2024, said.
Verstappen denies Red Bull exit reports
Verstappen also addressed longstanding rumours that he could opt to leave the team at some stage, reiterating that he was content with his position at Red Bull.
“I’m happy with where I am,” he expressed. “And one of my conditions is always the same: my discoverer and supporter Helmut Marko [Red Bull advisor] must stay.”
Red Bull’s 2025 championship prospects
With many predicting the 2025 F1 season will be the closest in some time, Verstappen highlighted the issues that the team must address to be in contention again.
“I don’t have a crystal ball, but if we can straighten out certain weaknesses in the winter, we’ll be back in front,” he assessed.
“But I’m certainly not making predictions here. Five teams should compete at the front.
“We [Red Bull] often lacked the necessary balance, because we just couldn’t get into the small work window in terms of temperature. Then you start wandering around a bit.”
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