“Lewis Hamilton chose to leave Mercedes despite having all the information”: Red Bull boss talks about Max Verstappen's future

Christian Horner is adamant that Max Verstappen will remain at Red Bull Racing for 2025 and beyond, despite Toto Wolff’s attempts to woe him with the 2026 engine regulations. Speaking in the press conference ahead of the Austrian GP, the Briton suggested that Lewis Hamilton left Mercedes despite having information on the 2026 engines and regulations.

In the war of words between Horner and Wolff, Max Verstappen moving to Mercedes remains the undercurrent of paddock speculation. The Dutchman clearly stated in a press conference on Thursday in Austria that he planned to stay with Red Bull. However, Wolff has made constant media statements, suggesting that the Dutchman was a free agent on the market and could shift to Mercedes.

Wolff also made a sarcastic remark after the Barcelona race, saying that he would leave Horner to believe the idea that Max Verstappen was going to stay at the Milton Keynes camp. Responding to the matter, the Red Bull Racing chief affirmed that the Dutchman will continue with his current team, even if the 2026 engines are the bait being used. Taking a swipe at Wolff, he suggested that it was all a distraction.

Answering questions with regard to Wolff's recent remarks about Max Verstappen, Horner said:

“It only reaffirms everything that we already know. Max is an important part of our team. 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, you know, 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 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 a 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.”

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Red Bull Racing boss takes a dig at Max Verstappen's father and Mercedes

In a fiery press conference in Austria, Christian Horner was bombarded with questions about Jos Verstappen and Max Verstappen moving to Mercedes. Jos, the former F1 driver, had told the Dutch and non-Dutch media that the Red Bull Racing CEO had vetoed him from driving the RB8 at the Legends Parade during the Goodwood Festival. Horner denied meddling in the matter.

However, when probed further about why Toto Wolff made statements about the Red Bull driver moving camps, Horner took a savage jibe at both the Mercedes chief and Jos.

Asked why Wolff was making suggestions about Max Verstappen moving despite the clarifications, Horner replied:

“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. So, yeah, why Toto? 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.”

With the team's internal turmoil and power saga, Red Bull Racing has had a difficult season off-track resulting in sensational headlines. Although Max Verstappen and Christian Horner have stated several times that there won’t be a move to Mercedes, speculation is bound to continue.

Apart from Wolff, Mercedes Benz CEO Ola Kallenius has also openly expressed interest in hiring the reigning champion for 2026 and beyond. The 25-year-old is currently contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028, but Hamilton's move to Ferrari is an example of contracts not being set in stone.