Christian Horner has urged Max Verstappen to enjoy the moment without making promises about what Red Bull will give him in the future.
Verstappen currently leads the 2024 drivers' championship, with Red Bull enjoying a 1-2 with the Milton Keynes-based team at the top of the constructors' championship.
Christian Horner: “This is a golden moment for Max Verstappen”
Verstappen, who is in his third year of F1 championship, is determined to win the championship for the fourth consecutive year, as the RB20 is as competitive as the RB19, which won the championship last year, and is the most dominant machine in F1 history. It seems to be happening.
Verstappen has won four of the five races so far this season, and his team principal scoffed when Horner pointed out that his relentless winning streak (even in his native Netherlands) was boring.
“You have to appreciate the success and Max has a special talent. It's a golden moment for him,” he said.
“As we've seen with all our drivers, it's not going to last forever and I think we're just enjoying the moment.
“There is no guarantee that we will be able to provide him with a car like this every year for the next five years, so we will do the best we can.”
Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, but his future with the Milton Keynes-based team no longer looks as certain as it once did.
Horner said there was “no ambiguity” about where Verstappen would race next season, but Max's father Jos provided the biggest hint that the reigning world champion is considering a new home for 2026.
“I think everyone wants him, but I just think Max is the right fit at the moment,” Verstappen said, as quoted by RacingNews365.nl.
“He has a fast car but we have to look further towards 2026 so we are leaving everything to him for now. We will remain very calm and see what happens. ”
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With chief technology officer Adrian Newey confirmed to be leaving the team after the first quarter of 2025, Verstappen will also no longer be able to provide his son with what Red Bull wants to maintain his success. He also expressed concern that this may be the case.
“The team is on the verge of collapse. We feared it at the beginning of the year,” Verstappen told Dutch publication De Telegraaf.
“For the sake of domestic peace, it is important that key figures remain with the company. That is not the case now.
“Newey left and earlier this year it looked like Helmut might leave as well. For the future, that's not good.”
When it comes to Verstappen's continued dominance in the sport, Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko is one person who doesn't find it boring.
“It's not boring at all,” Marco told De Telegraaf.
“When an athlete's accomplishments are extraordinary, you have to be able to accept and appreciate it. And above all, don't call it boring. That's Max's accomplishment.”
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