Max Verstappen makes Red Bull desire clear as Christian Horner says he can leave

12 March 2024 , 10:45

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Christian Horner said he wouldn't stand in the way of Max Verstappen leaving Red Bull if he wanted to go (Image: Getty Images)

Max Verstappen wants a return to "peace" within Red Bull Racing after weeks of infighting and questions over Christian Horner's future.

Team principal Horner was investigated by the Red Bull parent company after a complaint was made against him by a female colleague. He was later cleared of any wrongdoing, but the situation continues to cast a dark shadow over the team's Formula 1 title defence.

The matter took a twist ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when team adviser Helmut Marko said he too was under investigation. He later made it clear he would be staying, but not before Verstappen suggested he would follow Marko through the exit door if the 80-year-old was to leave.

And his father Jos lit the touchpaper when he publicly questioned Horner's position and suggested he wanted to see a change in leadership. After winning in Jeddah, Max said it was "absolutely" good news that Marko planned to stay and called for the team to reunite.

He told reporters: "I always said that what is most important is that we work together as a team and that everyone keeps the peace. And that's what we, I think, all agree on within the team. So hopefully, from now on, that is also fully the case.

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"Everyone is trying to focus in the same direction. And I think the positive out of all this is that it didn't hurt our performances. So it's a very strong team.

"I think also mentally, what you can see from not only the driver's side, but also mechanics, engineers, everyone is there to do their job. And I think everyone, even when there is stuff going on or whatever, they're just focused on their job as they should be."

Also speaking after the race, Horner made it clear that, despite his obvious desire for Verstappen to remain, he would not stand in the Dutchman's way if he was adamant that he wanted to quit Red Bull. He said: "No individual is bigger than the team.

"We have a phenomenal car. We've got one seat open for next year. I probably got 16 drivers that are desperate to be in that car for next year. We have a strong relationship with Max. He's done a wonderful job. His focus is very much on what he's doing on track and that's where our focus is.

"If a driver doesn't want to be somewhere, then they'll go somewhere else. It's like anything in life - you can't force somebody to be somewhere just because of a piece of paper. If somebody didn't want to be at this team, then we're not going to force somebody against their will to be here."

Daniel Moxon