Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has criticised rival team boss Toto Wolff‘s comments suggesting Max Verstappen could make the switch to Mercedes.
Following the Chinese Grand Prix, Wolff remarked that only “simple minds” would presume Red Bull’s success would be enough to keep the reigning champion from jumping ships.
“For, let’s say, simple minds, (performance) might be the only reason you stay in a car. But maybe there is more depth to some people that consider other factors too and Max has more depth,” he told media in Shanghai.
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Verstappen is currently contracted to Red Bull — the team with which he has won three consecutive world titles — until the end of 2028.
But the Formula 1 driver market was sent into a spin earlier this year when Lewis Hamilton announced that he would depart Mercedes to join rival top-tier team Ferrari on a multi-year deal from next year.
With a glaringly obvious vacant seat beside George Russell at Mercedes, Verstappen’s future, and the potential driver merry-go-round, have dominated headlines in the opening rounds of the season.
With previous misconduct allegations levelled at Horner reportedly triggering a fallout between Verstappen, Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko and Verstappen’s father Jos, it was reported that exit clauses in Verstappen’s contract could be triggered if the situation were to worsen.
Wolff has used the internal turmoil to encourage a change of scenery for the Dutchman — regularly stating his desire to land Verstappen at the Silver Arrows.
Despite Mercedes enduring its worst start to a season in more than a decade while Red Bull continues to dominate both F1 championships, Wolff refuses to see the teams’ difference in performance as a barrier.
“There are so many factors that play a role for a driver joining,” he said.
“Clearly, from the most rational point of view, that’s the quickest car in the hands of the quickest driver.
“But I don’t think this is the only reason you stay where you are.
“In that respect, are we able to convince him? It is not a matter of convincing.
“Max knows motor racing better than anyone and he will take decisions that he feels are good for him.
“A few factors play a role but he’s the one who is going to trigger some more domino stones to fall afterwards, but everyone is waiting to see what he is going to do.”
With the sport’s new regulations relating to the chassis and engine coming into effect in 2026, Wolff said now would be the best time for Verstappen and supporters to take the leap.
“It is a question of how they feel (about) the future, how they feel where the future is best for them, considering a lot of factors,” he said.
“We are in a very good position for 2026. We are ambitious with the targets we set ourselves for the power units, batteries and fuel and if we are able to produce a decent chassis, we are a good value proposition, but who knows.”
Informed of Wolff’s latest attempt to pursue Verstappen, Horner delivered a scathing takedown.
“I don’t think Toto’s problems are his drivers,” he told Autosport.
“I think he’s probably got other elements that he needs to be focusing on rather than focusing on drivers that are unavailable.
“I’m not going to get drawn into it. I think sometimes it’s just designed to create noise.
“We moved ahead of the amount of races that Mercedes have won in the modern era. The team’s in form. Why on earth would you want to leave this team?
“Mercedes are the third team behind their customers (McLaren and Aston Martin) at the moment. I would think his time would be better spent perhaps focusing on the team rather than the driver market.”
Horner was adamant Verstappen would see out his contract with the Milton Keynes-based constructor.
“I can assure you that there is no ambiguity about where Max Verstappen will be next year,” he said.
“Have you spoken to Max about this? Because if you talk to Max, it’s not about pieces of paper at the end of the day.
“We know that he has a contract to the end of 2028. It’s about how he feels in the team, the relationship he has in the team and the way he’s performing.”
Speaking ahead of the Chinese GP, Verstappen blocked further questioning about his future.
“I signed a long-term deal with the team,” he said.
“The only thing I said from the beginning is we want to have a peaceful environment.
“Lately we have been talking about the car. I am happy about that. I am happy with the team, and there has never been a reason to leave.”