Two of F1’s most famous names will be competing again.
That means Red Bull team boss Christian Horner and his Mercedes driver Toto Wolff.
This latest verbal scrap comes shortly after the Chinese Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen won his fourth Grand Prix of the season. Red Bull were able to get two drivers on the podium as Sergio Perez finished third behind McLaren’s Lando Norris, but Mercedes will need a bit of luck to secure a double points finish. Ta. George Russell started from within the top 10 and managed to finish in 6th place, but teammate Lewis Hamilton was forced to start from the back of the grid after a shocking Q1 exit. A few retirements and a strong stint in the closing stages saw Hamilton work his way up to a ninth-place finish.
After the race, Wolff spoke to the media at length about the team’s current struggles with the W15, as well as Mercedes’ future line-up. This is often talked about given Hamilton’s impending departure at the end of the season, when he will drive for Ferrari next year.
As before, Wolff suggested Verstappen’s idea of silver and black.
“There are so many factors that influence driver participation that from the most rational point of view it’s clear that the car is the fastest car in the hands of the fastest driver.” Mr Wolfe said: sky sports. “But I don’t think this is the only reason why you stay where you are. For example, for a simple-minded person, it might be the only reason to stay in the car and that’s it, but Maybe there’s more depth for people who consider other factors, and I think Max has more depth.”
Wolff went on to say that it was Verstappen’s decision that the grid was waiting for.
“Are we going to convince him on that point? I don’t think Max needs convincing, but Max knows car racing better than anyone and will make decisions that he thinks are good for him. ” continued Wolff. “I think there are a number of factors at play, but I think he’ll be the catalyst for more domino stones after that. Everyone’s waiting to see what he’s going to do.”
These comments came as a surprise to Wolff’s Red Bull driver for more reasons than the fact that Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028. As Horner stated in his own comments to the media, after being informed about Wolff’s Verstappen chatter, the driver said: In recent weeks, he’s made it clear he’s not going anywhere.
And Horner made it clear that Wolff has more to worry about than just where Verstappen will drive next year.
“When did he [Wolff] say [about Verstappen]? ” Horner mused. “When you talk to Max… at the end of the day, it’s not about a piece of paper. We know he’s under contract until the end of 2028. It’s about how he feels within the team, It’s about his relationships within the team and his performance.”
That’s when Horner delivered a verbal jab.
“I don’t think Toto’s problem is with his driver,” Horner said. “He probably has other elements to focus on instead of focusing on drivers that are unavailable.”
Another element Horner is likely referring to is Mercedes’ 2024 challenger, the W15. Wolff also lost after the Chinese GP. Given the team’s problems getting the W15 into its optimal operating window, he said the W15 is “not an okay car.”
But Horner was just getting started.
“I think sometimes it’s designed to create noise. We’ve been ahead of the number of races Mercedes have won in modern times,” Horner added. “Why on earth would you want to leave this team when it’s doing so well?” Mercedes are behind the customer team at the moment, behind the third team. His time would be better spent focusing on the team rather than the driver market. ”
McLaren, currently 44 points ahead of Mercedes in the constructors’ championship standings, is Mercedes’ customer team. In other words, the same power unit as the W15 is also installed in McLaren’s MCL38. As Horner points out, only McLaren is currently doing a bit better with its power unit.
Horner ended his speech with some final words about the champion driver.
“I guarantee you there is no ambiguity as to where Max Verstappen will be next year.”
Speculation over Verstappen’s future increased after reports that his contract had a release clause that would allow him to leave the team if Red Bull executives left. The idea of Verstappen leaving Red Bull came to an end when reports surfaced that Red Bull’s senior advisor, Dr. Helmut Marko, faces an uncertain future ahead of this season coupled with an investigation into Horner’s misconduct allegations. , is now a possibility, at least in theory.
And comments from the driver’s father, Jos Verstappen, early in the season added fuel to that theoretical fire.
But in recent weeks, Verstappen has made his position at Red Bull clear. Remarks at the Australian GP “I don’t think about anything else, because I know where I am, and that’s where I want to be.”
