Red Bull Racing has a contract for only one driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season, but it is still unclear whether Max Verstappen will stay. Sergio Pérez does not yet have a contract for next year. There is uncertainty at the Austrian racing team, but team boss Christian Horner provides more clarity.
Things have been going on at Red Bull Racing for some time since Horner was accused of inappropriate behavior towards a female colleague. After a month-long independent investigation, Red Bull GmbH rejected the complaint, but that did not end the case. An email was sent anonymously in Bahrain. It contained photos of alleged WhatsApp conversations between Horner and the employee. It is not known who was behind the leak and whether the photos are real. In any case, it resulted in a fight between Jos Verstappen and Horner.
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After that argument, Max’s father entered into discussions with Toto Wolff, causing rumors that the three-time world champion might leave for Mercedes, where a seat will become available thanks to the Ferrari transfer of Lewis Hamilton for 2025. Max Verstappen is loyal to his father , manager Raymond Vermeulen and Red Bull chief advisor Helmut Marko, and according to Jos “the team is in danger of falling apart” if Horner remains as team boss. There is also reportedly a clause in Verstappen’s contract that he may decide to leave Red Bull before the end of his contract in 2028, if Marko leaves or if there is another major change in management.
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It’s up to Pérez to lose his seat
Horner expects Verstappen to simply stay with Red Bull. “I think we have a strong relationship with Max. He is doing a great job. His focus is very much on what he does on the track and that is where our focus is,” the team boss told the media present in Jeddah. The condition for Verstappen is that Marko does not leave. The Dutchman said that “Helmut must stay. I cannot continue without him”.
If Verstappen indeed plays for Red Bull again next season, a teammate will have to be found for him. Horner provided more clarity about this in Saudi Arabia. “We have a phenomenal car. We have a seat for next year that still needs to be filled. I have probably sixteen drivers who are desperate to get into that car next year. But Checo has pole position in that. It’s his seat to lose.”
