Max Verstappen Reflects on F1’s Eased Tensions Post-Horner Departure

Max Verstappen has shared his thoughts on the current state of Formula 1, noting that the atmosphere in the paddock has become “less stressful” since the departure of former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. In a recent interview, Verstappen expressed his preference for a more amicable environment among teams, stating, “It is not nice when you constantly have tension between people.”

Verstappen, who recently secured his first victory of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, reflected on his time with Horner, under whom he won all four of his world championships. Despite the competitive nature of the sport, he appreciates the current dynamics, saying, “It is not as spicy, but I quite like how things are going at the moment with everyone’s behaviour.”

As speculation continues regarding Horner’s potential return to Formula 1, Verstappen remarked, “He has shown he did a good job. Of course, people spread a lot of rumours and I don’t know how much of that is true.” He added that Horner’s future is not his concern, indicating a focus on his own career and the challenges ahead.

Verstappen recently signed a new four-year contract with Red Bull, having considered offers from other teams, including McLaren. When asked about the possibility of driving for Ferrari, he stated, “I only want to win. I am not a nostalgic type. Do I have a lot of respect for the [Ferrari] brand? Absolutely. But if that means you then commit yourself, and you are driving P5 or P6, what’s the point?”

He emphasised his performance-driven mentality and his commitment to Red Bull, describing the team as a “second family” and expressing excitement about the challenge of rebuilding the team.

Looking ahead, Verstappen acknowledged the longevity of his career in F1, stating that he does not expect to still be racing at the age of 46, like Fernando Alonso. He mentioned the importance of balancing his professional commitments with family time, saying, “I want to spend more time at home and see the kids growing up.”

As Formula 1 prepares for the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, which features the last Sprint weekend of the season, fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports F1 starting this Friday at 10.30am.

Source: This original report was produced by WTGO Newsroom using verified reporting from Sky Sports.