Horner repeats message over Verstappen’s future as he stresses ‘we win and we lose together’

Christian Horner has doubled down on his comments over Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 future, insisting that the reigning four-time World Champion’s focus “is here” at Red Bull Racing.

Verstappen headed into the recent Saudi Arabian Grand Prix fielding questions on his plans beyond 2025, following comments from Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko that he had “great concern” about the Dutchman’s future with the operation.

Those came amid a rollercoaster start to the season for Red Bull, who have experienced the high of winning in Japan and the low of scrapping for a handful of points in Bahrain – rivals McLaren stepping forward to top both championship tables.

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - APRIL 19: Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and — Verstappen has represented Red Bull Racing for almost 10 years

During the pre-weekend drivers’ press conference, Verstappen brushed journalists’ enquiries to one side, while Horner described it as “an awful lot of noise” and stated that “Max has made it very clear he’s part of the team and we’re all in it together”.

After another eventful weekend at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, where Verstappen brilliantly charged to pole position before losing out to Oscar Piastri on race day via a dramatic Turn 1 scrap, Horner was pushed for the latest on his driver’s future.

Asked in his post-race media session about that “noise” rumbling on, the Red Bull team boss responded: “You said there’s been a lot of noise… the noise has been out there and not in here.

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - APRIL 20: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull — The Dutchman sits third in the standings after the opening five rounds

“Max has been working very hard with the team. He’s stated once again that his focus is here. He’s working incredibly hard, together collectively with the rest of the team, and we’re a team. We win together and we lose together – that’s the way we operate.

“Our focus is on sorting the car out, [and] we’ve had a decent Saturday and Sunday here.”

Verstappen sits third in the Drivers’ Championship heading to Round 6 of 24 in Miami, two points down on Lando Norris, and a further 10 adrift of Piastri, while Red Bull are also third in the Teams’ Standings, 99 points away from leaders McLaren.