Red Bull boss Christian Horner has claimed Mercedes’ public pursuit to land Max Verstappen is a “distraction tactic” intended to destabilise the Formula 1 champions.
Lewis Hamilton’s impending Ferrari move has created a vacant drive alongside George Russell next term and Mercedes has insisted that Verstappen is the top target.
The German marque’s attempts to prise Verstappen from Red Bull ramped up in the week as CEO Ola Kallenius claimed that the Dutchman would “look good in silver.”
But while Verstappen appeared to reiterate that he will remain with Red Bull in 2025 earlier this week, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has not been dissuaded in his chase.
However, Horner has also slammed the door shut on Verstappen departing Red Bull next season and has questioned whether Mercedes’ desire to land him is genuine.
Instead, the Briton suspects that Mercedes wants to unsettle Red Bull as the battle at the top tightens and has taken aim at its rival’s prospects with Hamilton leaving.
“Well, it only reaffirms everything that we already know. Max is an important part of our team,” Horner said regarding Verstappen’s earlier comments.
“He’s had all of his victories and podiums in Red Bull Racing Cars, his three world championships so far. And he’s a crucial member of the team.
“He enjoys being part of the team. He’s got a tremendous group around him. And we know what the future looks like.
“And obviously, a lot of noise has been made about him going elsewhere.
“And sometimes, one just thinks that that’s a distraction tactic that’s just thrown in because you have to question what are the motives obviously behind that.
“And the driver [Hamilton] that’s created all the movement in the market had all the information about the engines and 2026 regulations and so on and chose to leave and left the vacancy at Mercedes, which is why there has now been obviously a little bit of speculation as to who will fill that seat. But it won’t be Max Verstappen.”
Horner quipped that Max’s father, Jos, is available to Mercedes to hire next season amid the ex-F1 driver reigniting his squabble with the Red Bull boss this weekend.
Asked what he considers the reason behind Wolff’s staunch adamance Verstappen could exit Red Bull, Horner said: “I mean, that’s a question you’d have to ask Toto.
“I thought Max was pretty resolute in what he said in this conference yesterday. He’s always been absolutely consistent with that with the team.
“I think it’s purely a tactic of distraction. Of course, if he does want a Verstappen for next year, then I guess Jos is potentially available!”
