**Horner Exit Will Affect My Future, Says Verstappen: Red Bull Star Hints at Uncertainty Ami Team Turmoil**
**SPIELBERG, Austria —** Red Bull Racing is facing a period of internal uncertainty, and its crown jewel, **Max Verstappen**, has made it clear: the potential departure of team principal **Christian Horner** could directly impact his own future with the team. The Dutch three-time world champion broke his silence amid swirling rumors and behind-the-scenes friction, admitting that Horner’s presence is “a major factor” in his decision-making going forward.
### Turbulence Inside Red Bull
Since early 2024, Red Bull has been embroiled in internal tension, with off-track controversies casting a long shadow over their on-track dominance. The root of much of the unrest? Allegations and pressure surrounding Christian Horner’s leadership, which prompted an independent investigation earlier this year. Though he remained in place, whispers of a leadership change have never quite died down.
In a recent interview ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen didn’t hold back. “Of course it affects me. Christian has been instrumental in my career from the start. If he were to leave, it would certainly influence how I look at my own future here,” he said.
### ️ Loyalty vs. Ambition
Verstappen’s bond with Horner goes back nearly a decade. Red Bull took a calculated risk by signing the young Dutchman at just 17, and Horner — along with advisor Helmut Marko — championed his rapid promotion to the senior team. Since then, Verstappen has become the face of the franchise, leading Red Bull to three consecutive Drivers’ Championships and spearheading a new era of dominance.
But recent internal divisions, including a rumored power struggle between Horner and senior Red Bull management in Austria and Thailand, have put Verstappen in a delicate position.
“Formula 1 is a team sport,” Verstappen explained. “If the people around you change, especially at the top, it changes the dynamic entirely. My relationship with Christian isn’t just professional — it’s personal. That matters to me.”
### ⏳ Verstappen Contracted, But Not Locked In?
The Dutchman is under contract with Red Bull until **2028**, a deal signed after his 2021 title win. But in Formula 1, contracts are often flexible — and Verstappen’s name has already been linked with a possible move to **Mercedes** or even a future Ferrari project. Sources within the paddock have suggested that if Horner leaves and internal discord continues, Verstappen may look for an exit clause or negotiate an early release.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, has remained coy but open: “We respect Max and his achievements. If there ever were to be an opportunity, we’d certainly listen.”
### Red Bull’s Response: Unity or Spin?
Publicly, Red Bull Racing has continued to present a united front. A team spokesperson said, “Christian Horner remains committed to Red Bull Racing and our vision. Max Verstappen is central to our future, and any suggestion otherwise is speculative.”
However, Verstappen’s recent comments suggest that beneath the surface, tensions are not entirely resolved.
### What’s at Stake?
* **Red Bull’s Dominance:** Losing Horner, and possibly Verstappen, would threaten the core of Red Bull’s winning structure.
* **Verstappen’s Legacy:** A move now could redefine his legacy — either positively if he builds another team into a champion, or negatively if results falter.
* **F1’s Balance of Power:** Verstappen’s departure could shift power back toward Mercedes or even Ferrari, drastically altering the sport’s competitive landscape.
### What’s Next?
Verstappen’s immediate focus remains on winning races and securing a fourth straight title. But with pressure mounting on Horner and senior Red Bull management divided over the team’s direction, Verstappen’s future — once rock-solid — suddenly feels less certain.
“If things change dramatically here, I would have to think seriously about what comes next,” Verstappen concluded. “For now, I’m focused. But the future? That depends on more than just me.”
*TL;DR:** Max Verstappen has acknowledged that Christian Horner’s potential exit would influence his future with Red Bull Racing, sparking fresh speculation about his long-term commitment. Amid internal strife, Red Bull must now fight not just for wins — but to hold on to its superstar.