Red Bull boss Christian Horner has denied being concerned that the team could lose Max Verstappen, highlighting that Mercedes has “their own issues” in Formula 1.
Renewed speculation about Verstappen overshadowed Red Bull’s homecoming at the Austrian Grand Prix, as George Russell indicated there are talks with Mercedes.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has twice missed out on landing Verstappen, including in 2024 when he tried to succeed Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton with the Dutchman.
Wolff was not in denial when pressed on whether there was substance to Russell’s claim, though he has admitted that he is not expecting a move to happen for 2026.
“I think when you look at the situation we have with Kimi [Antonelli] and George, we have a perfect line-up that we very much enjoy and that we believe is the future,” he told Sky Sports F1.
“But, at the same time, there is a four-time World Champion that needs to decide what he is going to do in the future, and that is just, as a team principal, you need to see where that is going.
“But I think I give it a very little probability that it’s going to happen.”
Instead, Wolff has hinted that he is eager to guarantee that Mercedes continues to be well-positioned should Verstappen signal that he is prepared to depart Red Bull.
“You don’t know what’s going to be in three or five years, that’s why you need to look at what is it that should be considered on the long term,” he added.
Red Bull dismisses Mercedes interest in Verstappen
The reports coincided with Red Bull enduring a disastrous Austrian GP, as Antonelli wiping Verstappen out on the opening lap resigned the team to a point-less return.
Verstappen’s retirement – his first since the 2024 Australian Grand Prix – has all but curtailed his dwindling title chances as he now lags 61 points behind Oscar Piastri.
But with Mercedes’ struggles in hot conditions being exposed at the Red Bull Ring, Horner has warned Wolff that he has more pressing matters than his driver line-up.
“I think they’ve got their own problems,” Horner pinpointed to media including Motorsport Week.
“They were 62 seconds behind the race leader today. So Mercedes have got their own issues.
“We’re just focused on ourselves. We know what the situation is with Max. We know what the contracts are with Max, and the rest is all noise that’s not coming from here.”
READ MORE – Max Verstappen defends Kimi Antonelli after F1 Austrian GP clash
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