Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner has acknowledged the potential departure of Max Verstappen from the team, despite the three-time Formula 1 world champion being contracted until 2028.
Despite Verstappen securing another remarkable victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Red Bull's off-track issues persist. Following revelations by Verstappen's mentor Helmut Marko that he could face suspension from Red Bull, the Dutchman has issued a threat to leave.
Marko has since met with Red Bull's managing director Oliver Mintzlaff and confirmed his intention to continue in his role as an advisor. However, uncertainties linger regarding Verstappen's future. When asked about the prospect of Verstappen leaving, Horner commented that Red Bull would not force him to fulfil his contract if he chose to leave.
"It's like anything in life, you can't force somebody to be somewhere just because of a piece of paper," Horner said. "If somebody didn't want to be in this team, then we're not going to force somebody against their will to be here.
"That applies whether it is a machine operator or a designer or someone in one of the support functions that runs through the business." However, Horner has affirmed that there are no fractures in his personal relationship with the 26-year-old, despite his father Jos publicly questioning Horner's position.
"It can't go on the way it is," Jos said during the Bahrain Grand Prix earlier this month when asked about accusations of inappropriate behaviour levelled at Horner by a female colleague. "It will explode. He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems."
Horner has been cleared of any inappropriate behaviour by an independent investigation, but the scandal continues to loom large over the team. And while Max has defended his father's comments, Horner claims there is no tension between him and his star driver.